The New York Yankees host the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on Friday, September 25, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET. This late-September regular season matchup carries the weight of the final stretch of the 2026 campaign, with both clubs looking to finish strong. The Yankees have confirmed their starting lineup, while the Orioles will send Brandon Young to the mound. New York has yet to announce a starting pitcher for this one, adding an element of uncertainty heading into the afternoon. Catch the action on YES Network or WFAN 660/101.9 FM.

Yankees vs. Orioles Pitching Matchup: Brandon Young Starts for Baltimore

The Orioles hand the ball to Brandon Young, though full statistical details for Young heading into this start are not yet available. What the Yankees will need to do is simple: get a read on him early, work counts, and make him throw strikes. The Yankees' lineup has enough experience to pressure a starter, and if Young is making his first extended look against this particular group, the home side has an opportunity to dictate the at-bat tempo from the first inning on.

On the New York side, the starting pitcher has not been announced. That is a storyline worth monitoring before first pitch. Whether this turns into a bullpen game or a late-roster arm gets the nod, manager decisions in games like this one — with rosters expanded and the regular season winding down — can be telling about organizational priorities.

Yankees Starting Lineup for September 25

• Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
• Ben Rice, DH
• Heliot Ramos, LF
• Amed Rosario, RF
• George Lombard Jr., SS
• Spencer Jones, CF
• Anthony Volpe, 3B
• Ali Sánchez, C
• José Caballero, 2B

Keys to Watch in Yankees-Orioles at Yankee Stadium

Heliot Ramos Hitting Third

Ramos slotting into the three-hole is the lineup's most notable construction choice. That is a position of responsibility — it means the Yankees are counting on him to drive in runs with Rice and Goldschmidt getting on base ahead of him. How Ramos handles that opportunity against Young will be one of the primary storylines of the afternoon.

Anthony Volpe at Third Base

Volpe is listed at third base rather than his natural shortstop position, with George Lombard Jr. at short. That is a notable positional shift worth tracking. Lombard Jr. getting time at shortstop this late in the season is a data point about the organization's view of both players going forward.

Spencer Jones in Center

Jones in center field continues to give the Yankees a look at one of their more closely watched young outfielders. Every plate appearance and defensive rep for Jones at this stage of the season is meaningful developmental information.

Prediction

This is a game where the pitching picture — specifically who is actually taking the ball for New York — matters enormously. Until that is resolved, assigning a high-confidence prediction is difficult. What is clear is that the Yankees have a lineup capable of doing damage against a pitcher the Bronx crowd is seeing for the first time or close to it. If the Yankees get even competent starting pitching, the lineup as constructed has enough to win in front of the home crowd at Yankee Stadium. Edge: Yankees, though it hinges entirely on what comes out of the bullpen or the rotation to start this one.