Yankees Game Tonight 2026: ALDS Game 3 Start Time, TV Channel, Streaming, Lineup Shakeup and Tickets

The Yankees play the Tampa Bay Rays tonight, Thursday, October 8, 2026, in ALDS Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 8:03 p.m. ET on FS1. New York trails the series 0-2 and faces elimination, so a loss ends the Bombers' season. The game streams live on FOX Sports app, MLB.TV (out-of-market) and fuboTV, with tickets still listed on secondary markets.

What time is the Yankees game tonight?

First pitch for Yankees vs Rays ALDS Game 3 is 8:03 p.m. ET (7:03 p.m. CT, 5:03 p.m. PT) at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Thursday, October 8, 2026. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. ET, and MLB's official schedule lists the contest as the only American League game in the 8 p.m. window, giving it a clean national broadcast slot.

What channel is the Yankees game on tonight?

The game airs nationally on FS1 in the United States, with pregame coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. According to the MLB.com Game 3 broadcast notes, FS1 carries the primary feed, while ESPN Radio and the Yankees Radio Network (WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM) handle the radio call. Canadian viewers can watch on Sportsnet, and international audiences get the game via MLB.TV's global package.

How can I stream the Yankees game tonight?

You can stream Yankees vs Rays Game 3 on the FOX Sports app, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling Blue and MLB.TV for out-of-market viewers. A valid cable or streaming login is required for the FOX Sports app. Cord-cutters in the New York market can use fuboTV or YouTube TV, both of which carry FS1 in their base plans. MLB.TV blackout rules apply to viewers inside the Yankees' home territory.

What is the Yankees lineup for Game 3?

Manager Aaron Boone confirmed a significant shakeup for Game 3, inserting Anthony Volpe and Jose Caballero into the starting lineup while benching Jazz Chisholm Jr. against Rays right-hander Shane McClanahan. According to MLB.com, Boone told reporters the move is designed to add contact and speed against left-handed pitching and to tighten up infield defense behind starter Carlos Rodon. The full lineup card is expected to be posted roughly three hours before first pitch.

Who is pitching for the Yankees tonight?

Carlos Rodon gets the ball for New York in Game 3 on regular rest, per the Yankees' official probables. Rodon posted a sub-3.50 ERA across his final ten starts of the 2026 regular season, according to Baseball Reference, and has historically pitched well at Yankee Stadium. Tampa Bay counters with Shane McClanahan, a left-hander who has limited left-handed hitters to a sub-.650 OPS this season.

What is the Yankees vs Rays series score?

The Rays lead the ALDS 2-0 after winning the first two games in Tampa, putting the Yankees one loss away from elimination. According to CBS Sports, New York has scored just three runs across the first two games while striking out 24 times, a rate that ranks last among 2026 postseason teams. No team has ever come back from 0-2 in a best-of-five ALDS more than a handful of times, making Game 3 effectively a must-win.

Are tickets still available for Yankees Game 3 tonight?

Yes, tickets for Yankees vs Rays ALDS Game 3 remain available on secondary markets including StubHub, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster resale as of Thursday morning. According to SeatGeek's 2026 MLB postseason demand index, get-in prices for Game 3 dropped roughly 18 percent after the Yankees fell behind 0-2, with standing-room and upper-deck seats leading the volume. Prices typically fall further within two hours of first pitch.

What do experts predict for Yankees vs Rays Game 3?

Expert predictions are split, but a slight majority of CBS Sports panelists pick the Yankees to win Game 3 and extend the series. The Athletic's analytics staff notes that Rodon's home splits and the Volpe-Caballero defensive alignment give New York its best run-prevention setup of the series. However, multiple models still favor Tampa Bay to close out the series, citing McClanahan's dominance against left-handed bats and the Yankees' cold offense.

What happens if the Yankees lose tonight?

If the Yankees lose Game 3, their 2026 season ends and the Rays advance to the ALCS. A Yankees win forces Game 4 on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Yankee Stadium, with Gerrit Cole lined up to start, according to the team's projected rotation. The full ALDS schedule and results are updated live on MLB.com.

Where can I follow live Yankees Game 3 score updates?

Live score updates for Yankees vs Rays Game 3 are available on MLB.com's Gameday, the MLB app, ESPN's scoreboard and the official Yankees social channels. MLB Gameday provides pitch-by-pitch tracking, while the FOX Sports app offers a live stats overlay during the broadcast. For real-time highlights, the Yankees' official X account posts clips within minutes of key plays.

Key facts at a glance

• Matchup: New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays, ALDS Game 3
• Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
• First pitch: 8:03 p.m. ET
• Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
• TV: FS1 (pregame 7:30 p.m. ET)
• Streaming: FOX Sports app, fuboTV, YouTube TV, MLB.TV
• Radio: WFAN 660 AM / 101.9 FM, ESPN Radio
• Series: Rays lead 2-0
• Yankees starter: Carlos Rodon
• Rays starter: Shane McClanahan
• Lineup change: Volpe and Caballero in, Chisholm sits