The New York Yankees return to Yankee Stadium on Monday, July 20, 2026, for a 7:05 PM ET first pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Right-hander Ryan Weathers gets the ball for New York opposite Pittsburgh's Braxton Ashcraft. With the bulk of the regular season still ahead, this is a chance for the Yankees to build on their home record and put distance between themselves and the competition in the AL East. Coverage is available on YES Network locally and WFAN 660/101.9 FM on the radio.

Yankees vs. Pirates Starting Pitchers: Weathers Against Ashcraft

Ryan Weathers draws the start for the Yankees. The left-hander has been part of New York's rotation mix and will look to keep Pittsburgh's lineup off-balance at the Stadium. Braxton Ashcraft, a right-hander for the Pirates, makes the trip to the Bronx representing one of Pittsburgh's younger rotation arms. Neither pitcher's current season ERA or win-loss record is available, so the matchup is one to watch rather than handicap on paper — execution on Monday will tell the story.

Yankees Lineup: Goldschmidt, Bellinger, and Chisholm Set the Table

Manager Aaron Boone has constructed a lineup with plenty of punch. Trent Grisham leads off from center field, with Ben Rice slotted second at DH. Paul Goldschmidt bats third at first base, bringing his veteran presence to a pivotal spot in the order. Cody Bellinger hits cleanup in left field, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. occupies the five-hole at second base — a dynamic presence who can change a game in a hurry. Jasson Domínguez hits sixth in right field, Ryan McMahon seventh at third, Austin Wells eighth behind the plate, and José Caballero rounds out the order at shortstop.

Pirates Lineup: Reynolds and Ozuna the Names to Know

Pittsburgh sends a lineup featuring Nick Gonzales at the top, followed by Brandon Lowe at second base. Bryan Reynolds, one of the Pirates' most consistent offensive threats, bats third in left field. Esmerlyn Valdez hits cleanup in right, with Ryan O'Hearn at first and Marcell Ozuna — a power bat capable of doing damage to any pitcher — slotted sixth as the DH. Jared Triolo, Henry Davis, and Billy Cook round out the bottom of Pittsburgh's order.

Keys to Watch at Yankee Stadium on Monday

• Weathers's command: How Weathers attacks the strike zone early in the game will set the tone. Keeping the Pittsburgh lineup off the bases is essential in limiting damage from a lineup with middle-of-the-order pop.
• Goldschmidt and Bellinger driving in runs: The three-four combination of Goldschmidt and Bellinger needs to cash in runners if the Yankees want to build a cushion. Leaving men on base against a young starting pitcher like Ashcraft would be a missed opportunity.
• Chisholm's impact: Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the five-hole is a constant threat to both hit for extra bases and steal momentum. His at-bats against Ashcraft could be a pivot point in the middle innings.
• Ozuna's threat out of the six-hole: Marcell Ozuna has the power to flip any game with one swing. Whoever handles Yankee Stadium's pitching staff will need to be sharp when Ozuna steps in.
• Austin Wells behind the plate: Wells will be managing Weathers's arsenal and calling the game against a Pirates lineup that has some dangerous hitters sprinkled throughout. His pitch-framing and game-management will matter.

Prediction: Yankees Win at Home

The Yankees have the lineup depth to generate runs against a Pirates pitching staff that is still developing. If Weathers is sharp and the middle of New York's order does its job, the Yankees take this one at Yankee Stadium. The Bronx crowd on a Monday summer night provides the backdrop — now it's on the players to deliver. Yankees, 5–3.