Pirates vs. Yankees Live Tonight: Start Time, Lineups, TV Channel & Streaming Info

Bronx, N.Y. — The New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates close out their three-game set tonight in the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader that has major postseason implications for both clubs. Key storylines • Injured-list escape: New York will activate ace left-hander Max Fried (4-3, 3.21 ERA) ahead of schedule to start Game 2, a bold move as the Yankees chase Tampa Bay in the AL East race. • Youth movement: Pittsburgh counters with 23-year-old righty Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.77 ERA), looking to shake a rocky rookie campaign and keep the Bucs within striking distance of a crowded NL Central. • Series status: The Yankees won Monday’s opener 8-5 and entered the twin bill at 56-44, two games back of the Rays. The Pirates stand at 52-49, 11 back of Milwaukee but firmly in the NL Wild-Card logjam. Starting-pitcher matchup • Max Fried, LHP, NYY — 61.2 IP, 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 62 K • Bubba Chandler, RHP, PIT — 94.1 IP, 4.77 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 85 K How to watch & stream • First pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET, Yankee Stadium • TV: YES Network (NYY), SportsNet Pittsburgh (PIT) • Streaming: MLB.TV (blackout restrictions apply) Betting odds & public splits (DraftKings, 1 p.m. ET) • Moneyline: Yankees −173 | Pirates +143 • Run line: Yankees −1.5 (+119) | Pirates +1.5 (−143) • Over/Under: 9 runs (O −106 / U −114) The ESPN Matchup Predictor gives New York a 60.1 percent chance to win. NBC Sports bettors are leaning Yankees on both halves of the doubleheader. Players to watch • Ben Rice — The rookie first-baseman leads the Yanks with 29 HR and slashes .281/.372/.594. • Brandon Lowe — Pittsburgh’s veteran slugger paces the club with 21 HR and 65 RBI. • Oneil Cruz progress — The star shortstop remains on the 60-day IL but has begun light baseball activity; his timetable is mid-August. Why it matters A sweep of the doubleheader would pull New York within a game of first place while giving them tiebreaker insurance over a potential Wild-Card rival. For Pittsburgh, stealing one in the Bronx keeps them above .500 and within reach of the Cubs for the final NL spot. Prediction Fried’s surprise activation and New York’s bullpen depth tilt the night game toward the Yankees, but expect Chandler to keep it competitive into the middle innings. Yankees 6, Pirates 3.