The Boston Red Sox travel to Yankee Stadium on Friday, August 28, 2026, for a 7:15 PM ET clash against the New York Yankees — one of the most charged venues in baseball and never a casual destination. Patrick Sandoval gets the ball for Boston against New York's Cam Schlittler in a regular-season matchup that carries all the weight a Red Sox-Yankees game ever does. Coverage is available on Apple TV and on the radio at WEEI 93.7 for Sox fans across New England.

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Game Preview: August 28, 2026

Starting Pitchers: Sandoval vs. Schlittler

Patrick Sandoval draws the start for the Red Sox in what is always a high-pressure spot — pitching in Yankee Stadium with a hostile crowd and a lineup that can do damage in a hurry. Sandoval's assignment is straightforward: keep the Yankees off the board early and give the Boston offense a chance to work. On the other side, Cam Schlittler takes the hill for New York. Schlittler is a younger arm still carving out his place in the Yankees rotation, which means Boston's lineup will be hunting early fastballs and working to get into the bullpen as quickly as possible.

Boston Red Sox Starting Lineup

• 1. Nick Sogard, SS
• 2. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
• 3. Wilyer Abreu, RF
• 4. Willson Contreras, 1B
• 5. Adley Rutschman, C
• 6. Caleb Durbin, 3B
• 7. Mickey Gasper, DH
• 8. Jarren Duran, LF
• 9. Anthony Seigler, 2B

New York Yankees Starting Lineup

• 1. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
• 2. Ben Rice, DH
• 3. Cody Bellinger, LF
• 4. Heliot Ramos, RF
• 5. Trent Grisham, CF
• 6. George Lombard Jr., SS
• 7. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
• 8. José Caballero, 3B
• 9. Austin Wells, C

Keys to Watch for the Red Sox

• Rafaela and Abreu setting the table: With Ceddanne Rafaela batting second and Wilyer Abreu third, Boston needs those two to be active and on base ahead of Willson Contreras. If the top of the order clicks, the Sox can put up crooked numbers early against Schlittler.
• Contreras and Rutschman as the lineup's spine: Batting four and five, Willson Contreras and Adley Rutschman represent the heart of this Red Sox attack. Their ability to drive runners home will be the difference in a close game at Yankee Stadium.
• Sandoval limiting the Yankees' top of the order: Paul Goldschmidt leads off for New York, followed by Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger. Sandoval cannot afford to let that trio string together baserunners. Keeping Goldschmidt off the bases is priority one.
• Duran's role batting eighth: Jarren Duran hitting eighth is an unusual spot for a player of his profile. Boston will be counting on him to stay engaged deep in the order and create havoc when he reaches base.

Prediction

Road games at Yankee Stadium are never easy, and the Yankees' lineup — anchored by Goldschmidt, Bellinger, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. — carries genuine punch. But this is a winnable game for Boston if Sandoval can navigate the first time through New York's order and keep the Sox within striking distance. The Red Sox offense has enough in Contreras and Rutschman to put runs on the board against a developing starter. Look for a competitive, back-and-forth game. Slight edge to Boston, 4-3, if Sandoval can give them five solid innings and the bullpen holds.