The New York Yankees host the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Yankee Stadium with first pitch set for 7:05 PM ET. Gerrit Cole takes the mound for New York against Tampa Bay left-hander Ian Seymour in what shapes up as a marquee late-season pitching matchup. With the regular season winding down, every game carries real weight in the standings, and this one — broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime Video — figures to draw plenty of eyes.

Starting Pitchers: Gerrit Cole vs. Ian Seymour

Cole is the anchor of this Yankees rotation, and when he is right, there are few pitchers in baseball more capable of controlling a game from the first inning to the seventh. His ability to generate strikeouts and limit hard contact makes him the kind of starter who gives New York the best chance to win any given night he goes to work. Seymour, a young left-hander in the Tampa Bay system, represents the kind of pitching depth the Rays have consistently developed. He will face a Yankees lineup with legitimate pop up and down the order, and how he handles the Bronx atmosphere will be a key storyline to track.

Yankees Starting Lineup

• Ben Rice, DH
• George Lombard Jr., SS
• Luis García Jr., 1B
• Heliot Ramos, RF
• Spencer Jones, CF
• Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
• José Caballero, LF
• Ryan McMahon, 3B
• Ali Sánchez, C

Keys to Watch Wednesday Night

Cole's Command Early

The Rays are a disciplined offensive club that works counts and hunts pitches to drive. If Cole is locating his fastball and snapping off his curveball with authority, Tampa Bay's lineup will have a long night. If he struggles to get ahead in counts early, expect this to be a high-pitch, shortened outing.

Seymour Against the Middle of the Order

Heliot Ramos hitting cleanup and Spencer Jones batting fifth represent real power threats for this Yankees lineup. How Seymour navigates that stretch — particularly with runners on base — could define Tampa Bay's offensive chances as much as anything the Rays do at the plate themselves.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. and the Bottom Third

Chisholm hitting sixth gives the Yankees a legitimate threat even deep in the order. With Caballero, McMahon, and Sánchez hitting seventh through ninth, this lineup does not roll over after the fifth spot. If the bottom of the order gets on base consistently, the top of the lineup gets more opportunities in a close game.

Prediction

Cole at home in the Bronx in September is about as strong a position as the Yankees can put themselves in. Seymour is an intriguing young arm, but facing a lineup this deep at Yankee Stadium is a significant test. Look for Cole to log six-plus strong innings and for the Yankees offense to do enough damage early against Seymour to win this one comfortably. Yankees 5, Rays 2.