The New York Yankees welcome the Houston Astros to Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, August 26, for a 7:05 PM ET first pitch. Houston sends right-hander Peter Lambert to the mound, while the Yankees have yet to name a starter. This is a regular season matchup with playoff positioning implications for both clubs, and Yankee Stadium will be rocking for a prime-time showdown between two American League heavyweights. The game airs nationally on Amazon Prime Video, with local radio coverage on WFAN 660/101.9 FM and Spanish-language coverage on WADO 1280.

Yankees vs. Astros Game Preview: August 26, 2026

Houston Starter: Peter Lambert

The Astros hand the ball to Peter Lambert for this road start at Yankee Stadium. Lambert has been a part of Houston's rotation, though specific ERA and win-loss figures for this season are not yet available heading into Wednesday's contest. What the Yankees will need to do is get a look at his stuff early, work counts, and put runners on base. The Bronx lineup has enough right-handed pop to make any pitcher uncomfortable, and Lambert will need to be sharp from the first inning.

Yankees Starting Pitcher TBD

New York has not officially announced a starter for Wednesday night. That's a variable worth monitoring as first pitch approaches. Whether manager Aaron Boone turns to an established arm or a fresh option, the Yankees will need length from their starter against a Houston lineup that can grind at-bats and manufacture runs.

Yankees Lineup to Watch

New York is running out the following order on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium:

• Trent Grisham, CF
• Ben Rice, DH
• Luis García Jr., 1B
• Cody Bellinger, LF
• George Lombard Jr., SS
• Spencer Jones, RF
• Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
• Austin Wells, C
• José Caballero, 3B

Cody Bellinger hitting cleanup gives the Yankees a left-handed bat in the heart of the order, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. sliding into the seven-hole adds athleticism and on-base ability in the lower third. Austin Wells behind the plate gives New York a legitimate offensive weapon at catcher. Keep an eye on Ben Rice batting second — the DH role puts his bat in a high-leverage spot against a Houston pitching staff that will try to keep the ball on the ground.

Keys to the Game

• The Yankees need to identify their starting pitcher and get a quality start — Houston's lineup punishes weak pitching over six-plus innings.
• Trent Grisham leading off sets the table. If he gets on base consistently, the middle of the order with García Jr. and Bellinger can do real damage.
• Spencer Jones in the six-spot is one to watch — his at-bats against Lambert could reveal a lot about how New York's lineup handles the Houston starter's mix.
• Bullpen management will be critical if the Yankees go to the 'pen early due to the TBD starter situation.

Prediction

The unnamed Yankees starter is the biggest question mark heading into Wednesday night. If New York gets even five solid innings from whoever takes the ball, this lineup — with Bellinger, Rice, and Chisholm Jr. in the mix — has enough firepower to handle Lambert. Yankee Stadium crowds have a way of lifting this offense in big spots. Yankees win, 5-3.