Yankees vs. Blue Jays Game 51/162 Preview

Carlos Rodon aims to lead the Yankees to a series win against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.

Yovanny Cruz pitched two scoreless innings Wednesday. CREDIT: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

NEW YORK — The Yankees and the Blue Jays will square off today for the rubber game of a four game series between the sides. A crucial game for the Yankees to take with the red hot Rays coming to town and having an off day today.

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Game Time: 7:05pm | Location: Yankee Stadium

Broadcast: YES Network / WFAN

Weather: 64 degrees, Light Showers, Wind SE 6 mph

The Matchup on the Bump

The Yankees will send out LHP Carlos Rodon for his Yankee Stadium debut tonight. His past two outings have seen flashes of dominance from the 2025 all star, but it’s also seen some emotional collapses with errors and wild pitches and lack of command. It would be beneficial if Rodon had his stuff today and could give the Yankees some decent innings.

For the Blue Jays, it will be a bullpen game. The Jays will be starting RHP Braydon Fisher (2-1, 3.08) in the game, with RHP Spencer Miles (1-0, 2.55) pitching bulk innings out of the bullpen. Miles has never faced the Yankees in his career. It will be his 14th MLB appearance for the Jays, 13th out of the bullpen.

Something to Watch: The Blue Jays will not have closer Luis Varland, set up men Mason Fluharty, Alex Macko, and Jeff Hoffman available in their bullpen today due to workload. That should benefit the Yankees not seeing their highest-leverage arms.

Daily Lineups & Tactical Notes

Yankees Lineup

1. Rice - 0

2. Judge - 9

3. Bellinger - 7

4. Chisholm Jr - 4

5. Goldschmidt - 3

6. Jones - 8

7. McMahon - 5

8. Volpe - 6

9. Escarra - 2

   SP: LHP Carlos Rodón (0-1, 5.63)

Blue Jays Lineup

1. Springer - DH

2. Guerrero Jr. - 3

3. Varsho - 8

4. Okamoto - 5

5. Clement - 6

6. Sosa - 4

7. Straw - 9

8. Valenzuala - 2

9. Schneider - 7

   SP: RHP Braydon Fisher (2-1, 3.08)

Lineup Thoughts:

• J.C. Escarra is catching, taking the struggling Austin Wells out of the Yankees lineup.

• Aaron Judge has been struggling offensively in his last 11 games, including striking out four times last night. They have scored a good deal of runs this series, but Judge needs to break out of his slump.

Roster Moves & Medical Updates

• Trent Grisham is out of the lineup today after injuring his left knee sliding into second base in yesterday’s loss. He underwent imaging earlier today, which revealed no structural damage, just some inflammation/bruising. He will be available off the bench in an emergency situation.

Talkin' Yanks@TalkinYanks

Here's a closer look at Trent Grisham's injury that he initially tried to play through

Talkin' Yanks @TalkinYanks

Spencer Jones will enter the game for Trent Grisham, who is exiting after feeling discomfort legging out a bloop double in the second inning https://t.co/MIN8RjCxF3

2:21 AM · May 21, 2026 · 851K Views

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Bullpen Availability

GTG: Fernando Cruz, Yovanny Cruz, Tim Hill, Brent Headrick, Camilo Doval

LONG: Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough

DOWN: Jake Bird, David Bednar (?)

Keys to the Game

• Carlos Rodon needs to be on today and not get emotional on the mound. He needs to keep control and be able to go at least five innings.

• The offense needs to score a ton of runs. It’s a bullpen game for Toronto, and they are missing their biggest arms in their bullpen, so it would be a great day to score runs and take some pressure off the pitching staff.