The biggest brand in baseball comes to the Bronx. The New York Yankees host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, July 17 at Yankee Stadium with first pitch set for 7:05 PM ET, and the pitching matchup alone makes this one of the more compelling games on the schedule. Gerrit Cole takes the hill for New York against Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki in what shapes up as a genuine ace-versus-ace contest between two organizations built to win now. Catch it on YES Network, MLB Network, or WFAN 660/101.9 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Gerrit Cole vs. Roki Sasaki

Gerrit Cole anchoring a home start at Yankee Stadium is as close to a given as this franchise has. The right-hander remains New York's unquestioned staff ace, and his presence on the mound gives the Yankees their best chance to control a game from the opening pitch. He will need to be sharp against a Dodgers lineup that can grind counts and punish mistakes on both sides of the plate.

Roki Sasaki on the other side presents a genuine challenge for the Yankees' lineup. The young Dodgers righty came to Los Angeles this offseason as one of the most anticipated international signings in recent memory, and his mid-to-upper-90s fastball paired with a sharp splitter gives him the arsenal to neutralize any lineup. This will be a revealing test for the Yankees' hitters in a meaningful regular-season setting.

Yankees Lineup to Watch

Manager Aaron Boone is sending out a lineup that carries a mix of veteran presence and emerging talent. Here is how New York lines up for Friday night:

• 1. Trent Grisham, CF
• 2. Ben Rice, DH
• 3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
• 4. Cody Bellinger, LF
• 5. Jasson Domínguez, RF
• 6. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
• 7. José Caballero, SS
• 8. Ryan McMahon, 3B
• 9. Austin Wells, C

Paul Goldschmidt batting third gives the lineup a seasoned right-handed bat with experience hitting in high-leverage spots. Cody Bellinger slots in cleanup in what will be a notable matchup with his former club. Jasson Domínguez in the five hole provides another athletic, right-field threat, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base gives New York a dynamic bat in the heart of the order who can change a game with one swing. Austin Wells behind the plate rounds things out — his pitch-framing and developing bat have made him an underrated piece of this club.

Keys to the Game

• Cole's command early: Against a disciplined Dodgers lineup, Cole cannot afford to fall behind hitters. Getting ahead in counts will define his night.
• Cracking Sasaki: The Yankees need to be patient against his splitter and look to work deep counts. Sasaki can be hittable when hitters refuse to chase.
• Bellinger against his former team: Cody Bellinger batting cleanup against the Dodgers in front of a Bronx crowd is a storyline worth watching. Motivated players in that spot can do damage.
• Chisholm's energy: Jazz Chisholm Jr. has the kind of explosive game that can flip momentum. If he gets into a groove early, the Yankees' middle of the lineup becomes very difficult to manage.

Prediction

This is the kind of game Yankee Stadium was built for. Two storied franchises, two pitchers capable of carrying a staff, and a lineup on the home side with legitimate run-scoring ability. Cole at home is a tough assignment for any opponent, and the Dodgers, for all their depth, will need to solve him before they can solve this ballpark. The Yankees win a tightly contested game, 3-2, with Cole delivering seven innings and the bullpen holding the late advantage. Take the Bronx tonight.