Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
First pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET
TV: Amazon Prime Video / Rays.TV
The Rays have already clinched the AL East title (their first since 2021) and are chasing the best record in MLB. The Yankees are locked into a wild-card spot and preparing for the postseason. This is Game 3 of a four-game series; the teams split Tuesday’s doubleheader (Yankees won the first game 2-0; Rays won the nightcap 6-1). Tampa Bay leads the season series 7-4.
Probable Pitchers
Rays: LHP Ian Seymour (9-7, 4.38 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 155 K in 127.1 IP). The left-hander has been solid overall but has struggled some in September (0-1, 5.79 ERA in recent starts). He looks for his 10th win.
Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole (9-9, 3.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 123 K in 121.1 IP). The ace is aiming for double-digit wins. He has allowed some home runs recently but delivered a quality start in his last outing.
Current Weather Forecast
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy and mild. High near 66–68°F, temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s around first pitch, northeast winds 15–20 mph (gusts up to 30 mph), low precipitation chance. Breezy conditions could affect fly balls at Yankee Stadium.
Injury Reports
Rays:
SP Shane McClanahan (15-day IL, forearm)
RP Manuel Rodríguez (15-day IL, back)
RP Garrett Cleavinger (15-day IL, forearm)
RP Tyler Wells (15-day IL, forearm)
Longer-term absences including OF Gavin Lux, RP Edwin Uceta, and others.
Yankees:
OF Aaron Judge (10-day IL, leg/calf)
CF Trent Grisham (10-day IL, hamstring)
DH Giancarlo Stanton (60-day IL, calf)
RP Fernando Cruz (15-day IL, elbow)
SP Ryan Weathers (15-day IL, forearm)
SP Clarke Schmidt (day-to-day, biceps — probable).
Key Rosters / Notable Players
Rays: 3B Junior Caminero (41 HR, strong RBI totals), DH Yandy Díaz, 1B Jonathan Aranda, OF Chandler Simpson (.309 AVG), INF Richie Palacios, and a high-contact, speed-oriented lineup (160 SB).
Yankees: DH Ben Rice (39 HR), OF Cody Bellinger, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, INF Anthony Volpe, and supporting pieces filling in for injured stars like Judge and Stanton.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Seymour (lefty) will face a Yankees lineup that has been productive at home despite missing key power bats.
Cole must navigate the Rays’ balanced attack led by Caminero’s power and Díaz’s consistency.
Yankee Stadium’s dimensions and the breeze could play a role in fly-ball outcomes.
Recent Team Forms
Rays: Excellent (8-2 in last 10). Strong overall and road records. Momentum after clinching the division.
Yankees: Mixed (5-5 in last 10). Solid home record (43-33) but dealing with injuries to star players.
Series History
12th meeting of 2026 (Rays lead 7-4; series currently split after the doubleheader). Competitive AL East rivalry with Tampa Bay holding the edge this year.
Betting Trends
Cole’s superior ERA and home advantage give New York the edge on paper, but the Rays’ superior record, recent form, and season-series lead create underdog value. Low totals reflect strong pitching and cooler/breezy conditions.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 6.5
New York Yankees – 150
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, September 22, 2026
