The New York Yankees head to Nationals Park on Sunday, July 12, for a 1:35 PM ET matinee against the Washington Nationals. Will Warren gets the ball for New York against Washington's Cade Cavalli in what shapes up as a competitive mid-July afternoon of baseball. The game airs on YES Network and WFAN 660/101.9 FM for Yankees fans. With the second half of the season underway, every game carries genuine weight for a Yankees club looking to stay sharp and build momentum.

Probable Starters: Will Warren vs. Cade Cavalli

Will Warren draws the Sunday start for the Yankees. The right-hander has been working to establish himself as a dependable arm in New York's rotation, and a road start against a young Nationals lineup gives him a real opportunity to log quality innings and build confidence heading deeper into the season. How Warren commands the strike zone and manages Washington's athletically diverse order will be the first thing to watch from the first inning.

On the other side, Cade Cavalli takes the mound for Washington. The hard-throwing right-hander is a name Yankees hitters will need to take seriously. Cavalli has the stuff to keep lineups off-balance, and facing him on the road puts the onus on New York's offense to be disciplined and make him work deep into counts.

Yankees Lineup: Key Players to Watch

Manager Aaron Boone has set a lineup with some intriguing pieces. Trent Grisham leads off from center field, followed by first baseman Ben Rice hitting second. The middle of the order features Jasson Domínguez at DH in the three-hole — a spot where the young outfielder can do real damage when he's locked in — and Cody Bellinger cleaning up at four. Jazz Chisholm Jr. slots in at second base and hits fifth, bringing his trademark energy and pop to a lineup that needs production in the middle.

• Jasson Domínguez (DH): Hitting third and carrying big expectations, Domínguez is the kind of bat who can change a game with one swing.
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B): Chisholm in the five-hole gives the Yankees a dangerous threat who can impact the game both with his bat and his legs.
• Austin Wells (C): Hitting eighth, Wells has shown the ability to come up with big at-bats from the lower part of the order.
• Ben Rice (1B): The second-year player hitting second is another development story worth monitoring as he continues to grow in a featured role.

Keys to the Game

• Warren's command: If Warren can establish both sides of the plate and limit walks, he gives the Yankees a chance to keep Washington's lineup from stringing together big innings.
• Handling James Wood: The Nationals' leadoff man is one of the more exciting young players in the National League. How Warren and the Yankees pitching staff approach him early will set the tone.
• Middle-order production: Domínguez and Bellinger need to do damage against Cavalli. If those two get on track, the Yankees' offense has the depth behind them to pile on.
• Bullpen management: Road afternoon games can get away from teams quickly. Aaron Boone will need to stay aggressive with his bullpen if Warren shows any signs of trouble.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for the Yankees. Washington's lineup is young and improving, but New York has the lineup depth and the pitching matchup to come out on top. The key variable is Warren — if he gives the Yankees five or six solid innings, the offense should be enough to handle Cavalli and close this one out on the road. Yankees 5, Nationals 3.