The New York Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Yankee Stadium for a 1:05 PM ET first pitch. Carlos Rodón gets the ball for New York against Tampa Bay's Nick Martinez in a late-season regular season matchup that carries real weight for both clubs. With September in full swing and roster spots and positioning still in play, this is exactly the kind of afternoon game at The Bronx that separates teams willing to grind from those content to coast.

Pitching Matchup: Carlos Rodón vs. Nick Martinez

Rodón draws the start for the Yankees, taking the mound at Yankee Stadium in what projects as a pivotal late-season outing. The left-hander has the stuff to dominate American League lineups when he is locked in, and a home start in September is an opportunity to make a statement. Tampa Bay counters with Nick Martinez, a veteran arm who has spent time in multiple organizations and knows how to navigate big-league lineups without overpowering them. Neither pitcher's current ERA or win-loss record is available ahead of this one, so the narrative here has to be built on the matchup itself rather than season-long numbers.

Yankees Starting Lineup and Keys to Watch

Manager Aaron Boone has sent out a lineup that leans on a mix of veterans and younger contributors. Ben Rice leads off at DH, followed by Cody Bellinger in left field and Heliot Ramos hitting third in right. Luis García Jr. slots in at first base and bats cleanup, with George Lombard Jr. at shortstop hitting fifth. Spencer Jones gets the nod in center field batting sixth, Anthony Volpe drops to seventh at second base, Ali Sánchez catches and hits eighth, and José Caballero rounds out the order at third base.

Three Things to Watch

• Luis García Jr. in the cleanup spot: Hitting fourth is a clear signal that the Yankees are leaning on García Jr. to provide middle-of-the-order production. How he handles Martinez will be one of the biggest storylines of this game.
• Rodón's command early: Rodón at his best attacks hitters from the first inning. If he is sharp out of the gate against a Rays lineup that historically works counts and finds walks, the Yankees are in good shape. If he labors early, the bullpen could face a long afternoon.
• Anthony Volpe at the bottom of the order: Volpe hitting seventh is a notable placement for a player who has occupied the top of the order in the past. Watch whether he can provide a second on-base presence late in the lineup and keep innings alive for Rice and Bellinger to see additional at-bats.

Broadcast Information

The game airs on YES Network locally for Yankees fans and on Rays.TV for Tampa Bay viewers. Radio coverage is available on WFAN 660/101.9 FM in New York and WDAE 95.7 FM on the Tampa side. Spanish-language listeners can tune into WADO 1280 or WQBN 1300 AM.

Prediction

Home field matters in September, and Yankee Stadium on a Tuesday afternoon with Rodón on the mound is a spot the Yankees should be able to take advantage of. Tampa Bay is never an easy out — the Rays organization builds rosters that compete regardless of circumstance, and Martinez is a professional who will not hand the Yankees anything for free. That said, if García Jr. does damage in the middle of the order and Rodón keeps the Rays off the basepaths in the early innings, New York has the edge. Yankees 4, Rays 2.