New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Gerrit Cole vs. Ryan Yarbrough

Last night, the Yankees picked up at least a series split with a nerve-wracking 4-3 win over the Rays. Today, they’ll go for the outright series win in an afternoon finale in the Bronx.

In order to try and get that series win, the Yankees’ ace will take the mound. Gerrit Cole has made two starts already this season versus the Rays and was pretty good in both. The second of the two was arguably the best of what has been a season of really good starts. Back on May 12th, he threw eight shoutout innings in Tropicana Field, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out 12. All that happened with the slimmest of margins as the Yankees only scored one run all game.

As for Tampa Bay, they’re sending Ryan Yarbrough to the mound as they try to salvage a split. He’s held the Yankees to one run on four hits in 8.1 innings in his previous meeting against them this season.

With a day game after a night game and also Cole on the mound, Gary Sánchez gets the day with Kyle Higashioka doing the catching. Aaron Judge also gets a half-day off with a DH assignment as Giancarlo Stanton takes a seat. The team has not made a roster move since last night, so they will still be operating with just a three-man bench: Sánchez, Stanton, and Tyler Wade. The Yankees essentially never use relievers three days in a row, so don’t expect to see Aroldis Chapman, Chad Green, or Jonathan Loaisiga today. Aaron Boone is going to need some distance from his ace.

Go Yankees, go baseball.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY

First pitch: 1:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES, Bally Sports Sun, MLB Network (out of market only)

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280

Online stream: MLB.tv, ESPN+

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