Rachel: We lost two-one in San Diego last night. Two. One. And yet, we are still here, still fighting for that second spot in the AL East. The Yankees are 80-61, sitting right behind the division leaders, but the road to October just got a little bumpier.
Dave: It’s a tough break, Rachel. You look at the injury report, and it’s staggering. Aaron Judge on the 60-day IL. Giancarlo Stanton also out there. Clarke Schmidt? Gone. Jason Adam? Gone. But then you look at Wednesday night, Cam Schlittler goes eight superb innings, gives up one run, and the offense wakes up in the tenth to score five two-out runs against the Angels. That is resilience.
Rachel: Exactly. And now? We are back in San Diego for the finale of this three-game set. The Padres are 73-67, third in the NL West. They are dangerous at home. Tonight, we talk about who is pitching, who is hurt, and whether the Yankees can steal a win against the team they just dropped yesterday. Dave, what is the vibe in the clubhouse after that loss?
Dave: Frustrated, but focused. When you lose a pitcher like Clarke Schmidt for the season, you have to adjust your entire rotation strategy. But Luis Gil is ready to step in, and Gerrit Cole is still the anchor if they need him. Let’s get into it. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network. I’m Dave, alongside Rachel. This is your daily New York Yankees preview for Friday, September 5th, 2026.
Rachel: And welcome, Yankees fans! Today we are breaking down tonight’s matchup against the San Diego Padres. First, we’ll look at the pitching probables and how the Yankees are managing their limited arms. Second, we’ll discuss the key hitters stepping up with Judge and Stanton sidelined, and the latest on Trent Grisham’s hamstring issue. And finally, we’ll give you our keys to victory and bold predictions for this series finale. Stick with us.
Rachel: Let’s start with the mound. We know Gerrit Cole is on the roster, but he hasn’t pitched recently in these briefs. Who is starting tonight for New York?
Dave: Based on the rotation depth and recent usage, it looks like Luis Gil is getting the nod. He’s been solid when called upon. The Yankees are essentially running a four-man rotation right now because of the injuries to Clarke Schmidt and the absence of other starters. It’s a heavy workload management situation.
Rachel: So Gil is going deep into games? Because if he doesn't, we’re looking at a bullpen game, which we discussed yesterday was a struggle in that 10-1 loss earlier in the week.
Dave: They want him to go six to seven innings minimum. The problem is, the rest of the staff is thin. Elmer Rodriguez is available, but he’s more of a long man role. Paul Blackburn is listed as a reliever, though he has started before. The Yankees are trying to keep their arms fresh for October, but losing players like Ryan Weathers to the 15-day IL makes those decisions harder every day.
Rachel: It feels like they are walking a tightrope. If Gil gets shelled early, do they pull him, or do they ride him out? Because pulling him exposes David Bednar and John Schreiber, who have been reliable, but maybe not ready for a high-leverage nine-inning save situation.
Dave: That’s the tactical dilemma. Bednar is elite, but you don’t burn him unless you have to. The Yankees’ manager has to trust Gil’s pitch count and his ability to navigate the order a second time. Against the Padres, who hit for average, that’s a risk. But compared to bringing in a rookie arm from the minors, Gil is the safer bet.
Rachel: Right. And let’s not forget, the Padres have some power in their lineup. If Gil struggles, we could see Michael Fulmer or Brent Headrick coming out of the pen. It’s a gamble, but a necessary one given the 60-day IL list.
Dave: Absolutely. And remember, Tim Hill is also on the roster. He’s a lefty specialist. If the Padres load up on right-handed hitters, you might see him come in for a specific matchup. It’s all about platoon splits right now. Every inning matters when your margin for error is this slim.
Rachel: So, Gil starts. The goal is length. The bullpen is on ice unless absolutely needed. It’s a stark contrast to the days when we had Clarke Schmidt eating up innings. The burden falls heavily on the current five, whoever is healthy.
Dave: Precisely. And that brings us to the next big question: who is hitting? With Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton both on the 60-day IL, the heart of the order is gone. Who is carrying the load?
Rachel: Before we dive into the lineup, I want to take a quick breath. If you love this show and want to help us keep producing daily analysis for free, please consider supporting us. A small contribution helps cover the cost of daily research, editing, and keeping the feed running so we can bring you this content every single day. Just check the link in the episode description. Thank you for listening.
Dave: Thanks for that. Now, let’s talk bats. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been the engine. He’s playing second base, but he’s batting cleanup or fifth. How is he handling the pressure without Judge behind him?
Rachel: He’s been fantastic. He’s driving the ball to all fields. But it’s not just him. Ben Rice has been a revelation in the DH spot. Remember our prediction yesterday? I said he’d drive in two runs, and he delivered in that 6-3 win over the Angels. Can he replicate that tonight?
Dave: I think so. Rice has good plate discipline. He’s not swinging at garbage. Against the Padres’ pitching, if they miss in the zone, Rice will punish it. But I’m also watching Spencer Jones in right field. Last time we talked, I predicted another homer for him. Did he deliver?
Rachel: He did! Exactly as you said, Dave. He crushed one last night. It gave us hope. But the real concern is center field. Trent Grisham left the game Friday night with right hamstring discomfort. Is he playing tonight?
Dave: That’s the headline. Grisham is day-to-day. If he’s not 100%, they might move Heliot Ramos or Cody Bellinger around the outfield. Grisham is a defensive wizard, but if he’s limping, he’s not going to be effective offensively either. The Yankees need him in center to patrol that gap.
Rachel: If Grisham sits, who steps in? Austin Wells is catching, but he’s not an outfielder. Ali Sanchez is there too. This shows how deep the injuries are cutting into the roster. Miguel Andujar is on the 10-day IL, Gavin Sheets is out too. It’s a shuffle of bodies.
Dave: It’s a mess. But that’s baseball in September. The guys who get called up have to step up. Luis Garcia Jr. at first base and Paul Goldschmidt... wait, Goldschmidt is on the roster? That’s a huge addition. He provides veteran stability at first.
Rachel: Yes! Paul Goldschmidt is listed at first base. That changes everything. He’s one of the best hitters in the game. Even if he’s not at 100%, his presence alone forces pitchers to treat the middle of the order differently. It opens up space for Chisholm and Rice.
Dave: Right. Goldschmidt’s OBP is crucial. He won’t make outs easily. If he gets on base, Chisholm can run. It’s about manufacturing runs now. No more relying on the three-run homer from Judge. It’s singles, doubles, and timely hitting. Small ball tactics, as we mentioned.
Rachel: So, the lineup features Goldschmidt, Chisholm, Rice, and hopefully a healthy Grisham. It’s a different kind of lineup than what we saw in June. Less power, more contact. More speed. Can that beat the Padres’ bullpen?
Dave: It can. The Padres’ bullpen has been shaky. If the Yankees can get to the eighth inning with a lead, or even tie the game, they have Bednar. He’s a closer. He’s dominant. If Gil holds them close, Bednar closes it out. It’s a formula that works if the starting pitcher does his job.
Rachel: Okay, let’s wrap this up with our keys to victory. What does the Yankees need to do tonight to win this series finale?
Dave: Key number one: Early scoring. Don’t let the Padres’ starter settle in. Get on the board in the first two innings. Key number two: Pitching depth. If Gil goes seven innings, you win. If he goes five, you better have Bednar ready. Key number three: Defense. No errors. We saw what happened in that 10-1 loss. Fix the mistakes.
Rachel: I agree. And my bold prediction? I think the Yankees win this one. I’m predicting a 4-2 victory. Ben Rice hits a solo homer, Jazz Chisholm has a double and a run scored, and David Bednar shuts the door in the ninth. It’s a gritty, ugly win, but a win nonetheless.
Dave: I’m sticking with my sweep prediction from earlier in the week. Yes, we lost last night, but I think the momentum shifts back. I’m predicting a 3-1 win tonight. Luis Gil pitches a gem, and Spencer Jones adds another home run. The Yankees finish the series strong. I’m going 2-for-2 on my predictions today.
Rachel: You’re confident! I like it. So, 4-2 for me, 3-1 for Dave. Both say Yankees win. Both say the bullpen holds the line. Let’s hope they are right. Fans, what do you think? Will the Yankees steal this final game in San Diego?
Dave: That’s the question. With the injuries mounting and the stakes high, every game feels like a playoff game. The Yankees have shown heart all season, especially with Schlittler’s performance last week. They have the talent to win tonight.
Rachel: If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review the show on your favorite platform. It helps us reach more fans. Share this episode with a fellow Yankee. And remember, no matter where the team stands, we’re with them every step of the way.
Dave: Upcoming opponent: San Diego Padres. Injury watch: Judge, Stanton, Schmidt, Adam out. Prediction: Yankees win 3-1. Let’s go Yankees.
Rachel: Go Yankees! I’m Rachel, signing off with Dave. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. See you tomorrow.