The New York Yankees host the New York Mets on Friday, September 11, 2026 at Yankee Stadium, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM ET. Carlos Rodón gets the ball for New York against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean in what figures to be a compelling Subway Series matchup. With the regular season winding down into its final weeks, every game between these two clubs carries weight — both in the standings and in the city's baseball conversation. Catch it on YES Network, WPIX, or WFAN 660/101.9 FM.

Carlos Rodón vs. Nolan McLean: How the Pitching Matchup Sets Up

Rodón is the veteran anchor of this matchup. The left-hander has been a fixture in the Yankees rotation and carries the experience of navigating high-stakes games in the Bronx. McLean is the younger arm on the visiting side, and facing a lineup of this caliber at Yankee Stadium is a genuine test for any pitcher. Without current ERA or win-loss figures available heading into this one, the performance on Friday will do the talking.

Yankees Starting Lineup Against the Mets

• Ben Rice, DH
• Cody Bellinger, LF
• Aaron Judge, RF
• Luis García Jr., 1B
• Spencer Jones, CF
• George Lombard Jr., SS
• Ryan McMahon, 3B
• Austin Wells, C
• Anthony Volpe, 2B

Manager's lineup construction is notable here. Ben Rice draws the leadoff spot at DH, with Cody Bellinger hitting second. Aaron Judge slots into the three-hole, where he remains the most dangerous hitter in the lineup and the player McLean will need to navigate carefully all night. Luis García Jr. bats cleanup at first base, giving the Yankees a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat behind Judge.

Spencer Jones in center field hitting fifth adds youth and athleticism to the heart of the order. George Lombard Jr. at shortstop and Ryan McMahon at third round out the bottom of the lineup, while Austin Wells provides pop from the catcher's spot. Anthony Volpe closes out the order at second base — the kind of depth that keeps opposing pitchers honest from top to bottom.

Three Keys to Watch Friday Night

• Rodón's command early: The Yankees need him to establish the strike zone and keep the Mets off the bases in the first two innings. A clean start sets the tone at Yankee Stadium.
• How McLean handles Judge: There is no pitcher-friendly answer when Aaron Judge comes to the plate. McLean's approach to the three-hole will define the game's early narrative.
• Volpe and the bottom third: Anthony Volpe batting ninth can function as a second table-setter if he gets on base consistently in front of Rice and Bellinger. That bottom-to-top turnover is how this lineup does its best damage.

Prediction: Yankees Win at Home

Yankee Stadium on a September Friday night against the crosstown rival — this is the kind of game Rodón is built for. The Yankees lineup, from Judge in the middle to Volpe at the bottom, presents McLean with problems he has not faced at this scale. Expect Rodón to go deep into the game and the offense to make it count. Yankees win, 5-2.