Thu Apr 17 23:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Yankees Eye Goldschmidt to Power Past Royals After Weekend Setback
**New York, NY** – Despite dropping two of three games against the San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees are not panicking. Their focus is squarely on the upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals, and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is expected to play a key role.
Goldschmidt boasts a stellar record against Royals’ starter Seth Lugo, with seven hits in 11 career at-bats, including two home runs. This history gives the Yankees optimism heading into Monday night’s game. However, the team’s success against Lugo hinges heavily on Goldschmidt, as he accounts for seven of the likely starting lineup’s 13 career hits against the veteran pitcher. Interestingly, star outfielder Aaron Judge is 0-for-whatever against Lugo.
Goldschmidt is off to a strong start this season, batting .357 in his first 15 games. While his power numbers are slightly down, the Yankees expect improvement as the weather warms. His performance is a significant upgrade from last year’s first base production, where Anthony Rizzo struggled before injury and Ben Rice showed inconsistency. General Manager Brian Cashman’s decision to acquire Goldschmidt is already paying dividends.
Goldschmidt’s role might be reduced upon Giancarlo Stanton’s return, potentially sharing first base duties with Rice, who is also enjoying a strong start. The Yankees aim to manage Goldschmidt’s playing time strategically, targeting around 100 games to preserve him for the postseason.
Beyond his offensive contributions, Goldschmidt’s mentorship of young players, particularly Rice, is proving invaluable. His guidance on first base defense is accelerating Rice’s development.
Ultimately, the Yankees need Goldschmidt to continue his strong performance, and a dominant showing against Lugo could set the tone for the series. Manager Aaron Boone is counting on his veteran first baseman to deliver.
First Piper 