The Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field on Thursday, July 9, 2026, with first pitch set for 1:10 PM ET. Drew Rasmussen gets the ball for Tampa Bay in a marquee AL East matchup that carries real weight in the division standings. The Yankees have not announced a probable starter. Whether you are watching on Rays.TV or tuned in on WDAE 95.7 FM, this is one of the signature home dates on the Rays' summer schedule — and Rasmussen's performance will go a long way toward setting the tone.
Starting Pitching: Rasmussen vs. TBA
Drew Rasmussen draws the assignment for the Rays, and that alone makes this one worth circling. Rasmussen has shown the kind of stuff — a heavy sinker and a sharp cutter — that plays well in the confines of Tropicana Field, where contact off the turf can generate quick outs. The Yankees have not named a starter as of this writing, which creates genuine uncertainty for Tampa Bay's lineup construction. Against a lineup as deep as New York's, Rasmussen will need to work efficiently and keep the ball on the ground.
Keys to Watch Thursday
- Rasmussen's pitch efficiency: The Yankees grind at-bats and work counts. Rasmussen needs to get ahead early and limit deep counts if he wants to give Tampa Bay length into the middle innings.
- Rays offense vs. an unknown arm: Without a confirmed Yankees starter, Tampa Bay's hitters will need to be ready to adjust quickly. First-inning approach will be critical.
- Bullpen management: With the Yankees' lineup capable of doing damage in any inning, Kevin Cash will need his bridge arms ready. How long Rasmussen goes shapes everything that follows.
- Tropicana Field atmosphere: A Thursday afternoon game at the Trop can be a different environment — smaller crowd, mid-summer heat driving fans indoors. The Rays tend to play focused baseball in these quieter settings.
AL East Context
Rays-Yankees matchups in July carry division implications that cannot be overstated. Every game between these two clubs in the second half of the season has the potential to shift the standings. Tampa Bay has historically been willing to grind out wins in low-scoring, well-pitched games — and that approach fits this matchup well, given Rasmussen on the mound and the Yankees' tendency to manufacture runs in multiple ways.
Broadcast Information
- TV: Rays.TV, YES Network
- Radio (English): WDAE 95.7 FM, WFAN 660/101.9 FM
- Radio (Spanish): WADO 1280, WQBN 1300 AM
Prediction
This one sets up as a tight, low-scoring game — exactly the kind of afternoon contest where Rasmussen's contact-suppressing approach can be decisive. The Yankees' unknown starter adds a wildcard, but Tampa Bay gets the edge at home. Rays win, 3-2, with Rasmussen delivering six solid innings and the bullpen closing it out.
