Overview

• New York begins a 12-game run against the Astros, Blue Jays, Tigers and Red Sox on Tuesday night in Houston, with Max Fried set to face Framber Valdez.
• The Yankees are 7-19 against those four teams this season, including 3-7 versus Toronto and 2-8 against Boston.
• Aaron Boone reworked the opener lineup: Giancarlo Stanton starts in left field for the first time since 2023, Ryan McMahon sits against lefty Valdez, and Jose Caballero starts at third.
• The standings remain tight as the Yankees and Red Sox trail Toronto by 2.5 games in the AL East, positioning this stretch to heavily influence both the division and wild-card races.
• Boone says belief must be backed by results in September, as Jazz Chisholm’s “super team” claim contrasts with recent wins over weaker clubs that may not reflect readiness for elite opposition.