Ben Rice did what Aaron Boone said he wouldn't: hit more than 39 home runs. The Yankees slugger went deep twice in a 9-2 victory over Tampa Bay on Wednesday, pushing his season total to 41 and crossing a threshold his manager set during spring training. Rice now ties for the AL home run lead, per ESPN's reporting.
Boone's preseason projection—39 homers—was specific enough to matter, but Rice has already moved two ahead of that mark with what appears to be time remaining in the regular season. The dual-homer performance represents the kind of sustained power that separates forecast from outcome in a long season.
The Yankees' decisive win over the Rays underscores a broader AL narrative taking shape. Elsewhere in the division, the Baltimore Orioles swept a doubleheader against Toronto on Wednesday, eliminating the defending AL champion Blue Jays from playoff contention. Pete Alonso contributed his 41st home run in the first game, tying Rice for the league lead, as Chris Bassitt held Toronto scoreless into the sixth. Trey Gibson pitched brilliantly into the seventh in the nightcap as Baltimore took the second game 4-2, keeping its own postseason hopes alive at least temporarily.
The Orioles' doubleheader sweep serves as a reminder that late September baseball carries weight beyond individual statistical achievements. One team's survival depended on it; another team's season ended because of it.
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers (99-59) sit atop the NL Central and are one win away from 100 victories, while the Houston Astros (78-80) lead the AL West despite a .494 winning percentage entering their matchup against Oakland.
This article synthesizes reporting from ESPN. Top story: "Ben Rice tops Aaron Boone's preseason prediction, passes 40 HRs" (ESPN).