Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
First pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET (5:10 p.m. MT)
TV: YES / Dbacks.TV (regional)
This is the second game of a three-game interleague series. The Yankees dominated Friday 9-2, scoring five runs in the first inning (without Aaron Judge) behind contributions from Ben Rice, George Lombard Jr., and solid work from Gerrit Cole. New York remains firmly in the AL East/wild-card mix. Arizona has dropped five of six and sits five games back of the NL wild-card pack, with playoff hopes fading.
Starting Pitchers
Cam Schlittler (RHP, Yankees): 14-6, 1.95 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 228 K in 184.2 IP. Outstanding season with elite strikeout numbers, elite command, and one of the best ERAs in baseball. A true ace-level performance in 2026.
Brandon Pfaadt (RHP, Diamondbacks): 7-3, 3.77 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 84 K in 124.0 IP. Serviceable mid-rotation arm with a winning record in limited action, but significantly outmatched by Schlittler’s dominance.
Schlittler holds a massive edge in nearly every metric. Chase Field’s retractable roof typically keeps conditions controlled.
Current Weather Forecast
Hot and sunny. High near 100°F during the day with clear skies; evening temperatures cooling into the mid-to-upper 70s by first pitch. Light winds (around 5 mph). Precipitation chance near zero. Roof expected to be open or managed for comfort; heat is the primary environmental factor but should not disrupt play.
Injury Reports
Yankees: Aaron Judge (right calf strain — placed on IL, potentially available late September), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (thumb, nearing return), Trent Grisham (hamstring), Giancarlo Stanton (calf, 60-day), Fernando Cruz, and additional pitching depth issues. The lineup is without its biggest star but still potent.
Diamondbacks: Limited high-impact absences listed in recent reports (some bullpen/rotation depth pieces on longer IL such as A.J. Puk, Ryan Thompson). Core hitters like Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, and Gabriel Moreno available.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups & Notes
Yankees offense features Ben Rice (39 HR, strong recent production), Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Heliot Ramos, Amed Rosario, and emerging contributors like George Lombard Jr. Even without Judge they exploded for nine runs Friday.
Diamondbacks counter with Corbin Carroll (power/speed), Nolan Arenado, Gabriel Moreno, Geraldo Perdomo, and supporting pieces. Schlittler’s elite stuff should neutralize much of Arizona’s attack.
Yankees’ superior pitching staff (team ERA near the top of MLB) pairs well against a D-backs club that has struggled recently.
Recent Team Forms
Yankees: 8-2 in last 10. Strong road performance and momentum after Friday’s blowout. Still chasing the division while locked into a playoff spot.
Diamondbacks: 4-6 in last 10 and on a home skid. Offense has been inconsistent as wild-card chances dwindle.
Series History
Yankees took the series opener decisively. Limited 2026 head-to-head prior to this series; New York has historically held the edge in interleague play against Arizona in recent years.
Betting Trends
Yankees are clear favorites on the strength of Schlittler and overall team quality. Low total reflects the pitching matchup and Chase Field tendencies.
Game Odds
New York Yankees – 143
Arizona Diamondbacks 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 18, 2026
