The San Diego Padres host the New York Yankees at Petco Park on Saturday, September 5, 2026, with first pitch set for 7:15 PM ET on FOX. Robbie Ray takes the ball for San Diego against left-hander Carlos Rodón in a late-season regular season matchup that puts two of baseball's marquee franchises under the prime-time spotlight. With September baseball in full swing, every game carries weight in the standings, and this one — Yankees in town, packed house expected — is exactly the kind of night Petco Park was built for.

Probable Pitchers: Robbie Ray vs. Carlos Rodón

Robbie Ray gets the start for the Padres. The left-hander has the stuff to go toe-to-toe with any lineup in the game, and facing the Yankees at home in a September start is the kind of assignment that defines a pitcher's season. Ray will need to keep the New York offense honest and work deep into the game if San Diego wants to protect its bullpen down the stretch.

On the other side, Carlos Rodón makes the trip west for New York. The left-hander is a legitimate frontline arm who can dominate when he's on. Padres hitters will need to be disciplined early — Rodón lives on strikeouts and can put lineups away in a hurry when his command is sharp. This is a genuine pitching matchup worth tuning in for.

San Diego Padres Starting Lineup

• 1. Fernando Tatis Jr. — RF
• 2. Xander Bogaerts — SS
• 3. Manny Machado — 3B
• 4. Ty France — 1B
• 5. Jackson Merrill — CF
• 6. Luis Campusano — DH
• 7. Freddy Fermin — C
• 8. Jake Cronenworth — 2B
• 9. Samad Taylor — LF

Keys to Watch for the Padres

Tatis Jr. Setting the Table

Fernando Tatis Jr. leads off and sets the tone. When Tatis is aggressive at the top of the order, it forces the opposing pitcher into tough counts early and creates chaos on the basepaths. Against a left-hander like Rodón, Tatis needs to be at his best — staying through pitches and not expanding the zone.

Machado and France Delivering in the Middle

Manny Machado hitting third and Ty France hitting cleanup give San Diego a right-handed core that can punish a left-handed starter. If Rodón leaves anything over the plate to either of them, the Padres have the firepower to make him pay.

Ray's Command Is the Deciding Factor

If Robbie Ray pounds the zone and limits walks, this game sets up well for San Diego. The Yankees are a patient, dangerous lineup that will work counts and make a wild starter pay. Ray keeping the ball in the park and avoiding big innings is the single biggest variable in this game.

Jackson Merrill's Role in the Middle of the Order

Hitting fifth and playing center field, Merrill has a chance to be the difference-maker batting behind the big names. Rodón will likely be more focused on Machado and France — Merrill has an opportunity to capitalize on that attention.

Prediction

This is a game that could go either way, and that's exactly what makes it worth watching. Two left-handers with legitimate strikeout ability, a loaded Padres lineup that has plenty of right-handed pop, and a Petco Park crowd that will be loud from the first pitch. Give the edge to San Diego at home. The Padres lineup matches up well against Rodón, and Ray pitching in front of the home crowd in September is a compelling scenario. Padres 4, Yankees 2.