If anything, Soto’s presence adds a new wrinkle in a rivalry that has lost its luster over the last five years.

Last season, it was Juan Soto. This time around, Ben Rice. Soto went to the Mets for $765 million. So far, Rice is outplaying the guy who used to wear this number in pinstripes. Here's how they compare in some major stats entering Friday night:

After all, Soto's presence ahead of Judge in the Yankees' lineup did create more opportunities for the latter to bat with a man on base. He saw more pitches to hit accordingly, so of course he went off for a 58-homer, 144-RBI season that netted him his second American League MVP.