Yankees vs. Blue Jays Game 49/162 Preview
Will Warren gets the bump against the Blue Jays in the Bronx
NEW YORK — The Yankees and the Blue Jays will square off for the second game of a four-game series. Coming off last night’s thrilling victory over the Blue Jays, New York is looking to secure at least a series split tonight.
Game Time: 7:05pm | Location: Yankee Stadium
Broadcast: YES Network / MLB Network / WFAN
Weather: 89 degrees, Sunny, WSW 10 mph
The Matchup on the Bump
It will by RHP Will Warren going for the Yankees against Toronto’s ace Dylan Cease in this one from The Bronx.
Warren struggled last season against Toronto he faced them twice, and his combined ERA in those appearances was 14.54 with 8 strikeouts. Warren has been a different pitcher this season for the Yankees, and they hope those adjustments carry into his outing tonight.
Cease in his career against the Yankees has been a bit of a mixed bag. He has a 1-2 record with an ERA of 5.34 and 47 strikeouts in 6 appearances against the Yankees in his career. Last time out, a little over one year ago, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Yankees. He, too has made adjustments in 2026 that has made him one of the better starters in the American League.
Stat to Watch: Aaron Judge is 4-13 with a homer and 4 RBIs in 17 plate appearances against Dylan Cease in his career.
Lineups & Notes
Yankees Lineup
Grisham - 8
Rice - 3
Judge - 9
Bellinger - 7
Chisholm Jr. - 4
McMahon - 5
Volpe - 6
Jones - DH
Wells - 2
SP: RHP Will Warren (5-1, 3.42)
Blue Jays Lineup
Springer - 0
Guerrero Jr. - 3
Varsho - 3
Okamoto - 5
Piñango - 7
Sánchez - 9
Schneider - 4
Giménez - 6
Heineman - 2
SP: RHP Dylan Cease (3-1, 2.41 ERA)
Lineup Thoughts:
Austin Wells returns to the lineup after back-to-back off days. Wells is in the midst of a long offensive slump, so hopefully Wells can stat having better at-bats and give the lineup some thump. Right now with the way him and backup J.C. Escarra are hitting, it’s like there are only eight hitters in the lineup.
Roster Moves & Medical Updates
Aaron Boone told Talkin’ Yanks earlier today that if all goes well, Jose Caballero could be activated ahead of Friday’s game against the Rays.
The Yankees have still not decided who will start Friday’s game, but it’s looking increasingly likely that it could be ace Gerrit Cole making his return from Tommy John Surgery.
Bullpen Availability
GTG: Camilo Doval, Tim Hill, Brent Headrick, Yovany Cruz, Jake Bird
LONG: Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough
DOWN: Fernando Cruz, David Bednar
Keys to the Game
Warren needs to give the Yankees some length. The bullpen has been exhausted over the past few days with short starts by the starters, or ineffectiveness necessitating in-inning changes to get games to the finish line. If Warren can go six innings, it would go a very long way for the Yankees bullpen tonight, especially when your closer is down for a game or two.
The Yankees offense needs to put the pressure on Dylan Cease. There have been outings in the past where Cease has struggled against the Yankees, and there have been outings he has been all out dominant. The Yankees should hope that they can get to Cease today and get to their bullpen that can struggle at times.