The New York Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM ET. Max Fried gets the ball for New York against Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen in a late-season AL East matchup that carries genuine weight as both clubs navigate the final stretch of the regular season. Yankees fans can catch the action on YES Network or WFAN 660/101.9 FM, while Rays fans tune into Rays.TV or WDAE 95.7 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Max Fried vs. Drew Rasmussen

Max Fried draws the start for the Yankees, and his presence at the top of the rotation gives New York a dependable arm for a game of this caliber. Fried is a left-handed starter capable of generating ground balls and keeping lineups off-balance with his feel for pitching. The Yankees need length from him here — the bullpen can only carry so much load this late in the year.

Drew Rasmussen counters for Tampa Bay. The right-hander has shown the ability to miss bats when healthy and on his game. How deep Rasmussen can go into this one will go a long way toward determining whether the Yankees offense gets into a Tampa Bay bullpen that has been tested all season.

Yankees Lineup to Watch

Manager Aaron Boone has set a lineup that leans on a mix of established veterans and younger contributors. Ben Rice leads off as the designated hitter, giving the Yankees a left-handed bat at the top to set the table. Cody Bellinger hits second in left field, followed by Heliot Ramos in right — a right-field spot Ramos has made his own this season.

Luis García Jr. slots in at cleanup at first base, a significant vote of confidence in the 24-year-old as a middle-of-the-order presence. Spencer Jones, the highly anticipated center field prospect, bats fifth. Jazz Chisholm Jr. provides athleticism and pop from the six-hole at second base, while rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. bats seventh. Austin Wells catches and hits eighth, with veteran Ryan McMahon rounding out the order at third base.

Keys to the Game

• Fried's command: If Fried establishes his curveball and keeps the Rays honest with his fastball location, he can work deep into the game and save the Yankees bullpen for a potential close finish.
• Middle-of-the-order production: García Jr. and Jones batting fourth and fifth represents a significant test for both young hitters. Run production from that pair would go a long way toward a Yankees win.
• Getting to Tampa Bay's bullpen: The Rays tend to play chess with their pitching staff. The Yankees need to grind at-bats early, run up pitch counts, and put themselves in position to attack a sometimes-volatile Tampa bullpen.
• Chisholm's energy: Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the top of the bottom third of the order is a disruptive presence. His ability to reach base and create chaos on the bases can shift momentum in a tight game.

Prediction

Yankee Stadium in September with something on the line is exactly the kind of stage Max Fried was brought to New York to handle. The lineup has enough firepower — particularly with García Jr. in the cleanup spot — to generate runs against a Rasmussen-led Tampa staff. Expect a competitive game, but the home crowd at Yankee Stadium and Fried's ability to control the pace of play gives New York the edge. Yankees 4, Rays 2.