The Tampa Bay Rays head to the Bronx to face the New York Yankees on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium. Drew Rasmussen gets the ball for Tampa Bay against left-hander Max Fried. Late-September AL East matchups between these two clubs carry weight regardless of the standings, and with the regular season winding down, every game on the schedule matters for roster evaluation and positioning heading into the offseason.

Pitching Matchup: Rasmussen vs. Fried at Yankee Stadium

Drew Rasmussen takes the mound for the Rays in what figures to be a challenging road assignment. Yankee Stadium is a tough environment for any pitcher, and Rasmussen will need to command his arsenal effectively to keep this Yankees lineup in check. On the other side, Max Fried gets the call for New York. Fried is a polished left-hander capable of working deep into games, and the Rays' lineup will need to grind out at-bats and find ways to get into the bullpen early if they want to generate sustained offensive pressure.

Yankees Starting Lineup to Watch

New York is sending out a full lineup with some recognizable names. Ben Rice leads off at DH, with Cody Bellinger hitting second in left field. Heliot Ramos slots in third in right field, followed by Luis García Jr. at first base hitting cleanup. Spencer Jones handles center field from the five spot, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base batting sixth. George Lombard Jr. starts at shortstop hitting seventh, Austin Wells catches and hits eighth, and Ryan McMahon rounds out the order at third base.

Keys to the Game for Tampa Bay

• Rasmussen's command: Yankee Stadium rewards hitters who make hard contact. Rasmussen will need to stay out of hitter's counts and work efficiently to limit damage from the middle of this New York order.
• Attacking Fried early: Fried can be difficult to score against when he establishes his fastball and curveball combination. The Rays need to work counts and put together multi-pitch at-bats rather than chasing early in the count.
• Handling the heart of the order: García Jr. and Chisholm Jr. are the names Rasmussen must be most careful with. Keeping the ball out of the air in that short porch in right field is essential.
• Bullpen management: With rosters expanded and the regular season in its final days, how both managers deploy their relievers could determine the outcome in a tight game.

Broadcast Information

Rays fans can catch Tuesday night's game on Rays.TV or listen on WDAE 95.7 FM. The game is also available on YES Network for Yankees viewers, and on TBS for out-of-market audiences. Spanish-language radio coverage is available on WQBN/1300AM.

Prediction

This is a difficult spot for Tampa Bay. Yankee Stadium is never an easy place to win, and facing Max Fried in a late-September game is a genuine test. Rasmussen is capable of keeping the Rays in it, but the Yankees' lineup has enough depth to do damage. Expect a competitive game that likely comes down to the bullpens. Edge: Yankees, 4-2.