​After opening this pivotal four-game series against the Rays with bright promise, the Yankees surrendered that momentum due to a subpar performance by Will Warren, who yielded three home runs over four innings. As a result, New York can no longer finish tied for the division lead by sweeping the set; that outcome would have required a flawless four-game run. Still, a strong chance remains to clinch three of four by taking game four, beginning with a win tonight. Optimism centers on Gerrit Cole stabilizing the rotation after Warren’s rough night. Cole arrives on the heels of one of his more effective outings this season, lasting five innings and allowing two runs with zero walks and seven strikeouts against Minnesota. His four-seam command was as precise as it has been since the season began on May 22, yet he must refine his release points on his slider and changeup to better counter the Rays, a team that routinely tees off on fastballs from Yankees pitchers. Through eight starts, Cole sits at 3-3 with a 4.01 ERA (105 ERA+), a 4.41 FIP, and 41 strikeouts in 42.2 innings.
Shane McClanahan is back to his elite form after missing the previous two seasons due to Tommy John surgery in 2024 and triceps surgery in 2025. His fastball velocity sits a touch lower than his peak, which has tempered his strikeout rate, but he has compensated by nearly halving his home-run rate from his former career average. That development matters, as the Yankees have had relative success against him—an adjusted 4.70 ERA, 4.91 FIP, and a .507 slugging percentage in eight starts—largely powered by home runs. Across 16 starts this year, McClanahan is 7-5 with a 3.05 ERA (141 ERA+), a 3.29 FIP, and 77 strikeouts in 79.2 innings.
The Yankees will shuffle three players from last night’s lineup. Trent Grisham gets the night off, shifting Max Schuemann to center field and Jasson Domínguez into right. Anthony Volpe returns to shortstop, moving José Caballero to second base and Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the bench. Austin Wells takes the catching duties from Ali Sánchez, who delivered two hits yesterday. The Rays likewise rotate three positions from the previous game: Victor Mesa Jr. and Hunter Feduccia, who homered off Warren, are replaced by Jonny DeLuca in right field and Nick Fortes behind the plate. Richie Palacios was pinch-hit for by Ben Williamson in the sixth inning, and Williamson now starts at second base.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video and Rays.TV, with radio coverage on WFAN 660/101.9 FM and WADO 1280 (NYY) for the Yankees, and WDAE 95.7 FM and WQBN/1300 AM (TB) for the Rays. Streaming is available via Amazon Prime Video. For updates, follow the teams on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like them on Facebook.