The New York Yankees host the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 PM ET. Carlos Rodón starts for New York against Toronto right-hander José Soriano in what shapes up as a compelling regular-season afternoon matchup in the Bronx. With the Blue Jays bringing a lineup anchored by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. into the building, the Yankees need a strong outing from Rodón to control the tempo and protect home turf in front of the home crowd.

Pitching Matchup: Carlos Rodón vs. José Soriano

Rodón is New York's assignment on the bump Sunday, and the left-hander carries the pressure of setting the tone every time he takes the ball at Yankee Stadium. He has the stuff to be dominant — a power fastball, a wipeout slider — and the Yankees need him locked in against a Toronto lineup that has legitimate offensive weapons top to bottom.

Soriano gets the call for the Blue Jays. The right-hander will face a Yankees lineup that has some pop, and how he handles the middle of New York's order will go a long way toward determining how this afternoon plays out.

Yankees Starting Lineup

• 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

Blue Jays Starting Lineup

• Brett Bateman — RF
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — 1B
• Alejandro Kirk — C
• George Springer — DH
• Kazuma Okamoto — 3B
• Ernie Clement — SS
• Daz Cameron — LF
• Charles McAdoo — 2B
• Myles Straw — CF

Three Keys to Watch at Yankee Stadium

1. Rodón Limiting Guerrero Jr. and Kirk

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting second and Alejandro Kirk slotting third gives Toronto a dangerous 2-3 punch early in the lineup. Rodón has to work carefully in those spots. If he can keep those two from doing damage, he takes a lot of teeth out of the Blue Jays offense. Kirk is a disciplined hitter who makes consistent contact, and Guerrero Jr. is capable of punishing any mistake left over the plate.

2. The Middle of New York's Order Producing Against Soriano

García Jr., Bellinger, and Lombard Jr. batting third through fifth gives the Yankees a stretch that Soriano cannot take lightly. The Yankees need production from that core to put pressure on Toronto early and make Soriano work deep into counts. If New York can get Soriano into trouble through those spots, the Blue Jays bullpen will be taxed in a daytime game.

3. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells Providing Depth

Chisholm Jr. at second base batting seventh and Wells behind the plate at eight give this lineup genuine depth. Neither is simply an out waiting to happen. If Soriano cruises through the top of the order, Chisholm Jr. and Wells can make him pay. Chisholm brings athleticism and pop; Wells brings a professional approach at the plate. Toronto cannot simply gear up for the top six and coast.

Prediction

This is a winnable Sunday afternoon game for the Yankees at home. Rodón has the talent to handle Toronto's lineup, and Yankee Stadium should provide a charged atmosphere for an August regular-season matinee. The Blue Jays are a professional ballclub with real offensive weapons, but New York's lineup has enough threats throughout the order to make Soriano's day uncomfortable. Look for the Yankees to get the job done in the Bronx, with Rodón delivering a quality start and the middle of New York's lineup doing enough damage to secure the victory. Yankees 5, Blue Jays 3.

Coverage begins at 1:35 PM ET on YES Network and WFAN 660/101.9 FM.