What Time Do the Yankees Play Today on TV: Winter Waiting and 2026 Schedule Realities

What Time Do the Yankees Play Today on TV: Winter Waiting and 2026 Schedule Realities

If you’re sitting there with the remote in your hand wondering what time do the yankees play today on tv, I’ve got some news that might make you want to throw that remote at the wall—or at least go grab a heavy coat. It is January 14, 2026. The Bronx is currently cold, the grass at the Stadium is likely dormant, and the Yankees are absolutely not playing a baseball game today.

I know, it’s a bummer. We’ve all been there, especially during those long winter stretches when the itch for pinstripes becomes physically painful. Honestly, the only thing "playing" right now is the front office, and they’ve been pretty busy. Just today, the Yankees made a significant move by acquiring left-handed starter Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins. It’s a move that adds some much-needed depth to the rotation, especially with the 2026 season looking to be one of the most grueling schedules in recent memory.

But since you came here looking for a game time, let's talk about when you can actually clear your schedule and stock the fridge.

When Does the Action Actually Start?

Mark your calendars for Friday, February 20, 2026. That is the official kickoff for Spring Training. The Yankees will be heading to Sarasota to take on the Baltimore Orioles.

The first pitch for that Grapefruit League opener is scheduled for 1:05 PM ET. If you’re lucky enough to be in Florida, it’s a great day for a road trip. If you’re stuck in the tri-state area, you’ll likely be hunting for the YES Network broadcast to see if the new guys like Ryan Weathers can actually locate their heaters in the Florida humidity.

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Key Spring Training TV Windows

  • February 21: Detroit Tigers vs. Yankees (Home Opener in Tampa) - 1:05 PM ET
  • February 22: New York Mets vs. Yankees (Subway Series appetizer) - 1:05 PM ET
  • March 3: Panama National Team vs. Yankees (WBC Exhibition) - 1:05 PM ET
  • March 6: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Yankees (Under the lights!) - 6:35 PM ET

Most of these games will be carried by YES Network, though a few might end up on MLB Network if they decide to pick up the feed. But for today? Your TV is probably better suited for a Yankees Classics replay or checking out the Brooklyn Nets, who are actually active on the YES schedule right now.

What Time Do the Yankees Play Today on TV During the Regular Season?

When we finally hit the "real" games, things get a bit more consistent, but also way more complicated with the new TV deals. The 2026 regular season starts incredibly early—we’re talking Wednesday, March 25.

The Yankees are opening the season on the road against the San Francisco Giants. Because it’s a West Coast game, the start time is going to be late for those of us on the East Coast. You’re looking at a primetime "Opening Night" slot, likely around 10:00 PM ET. It’s going to be a long night, and coffee will be mandatory for work the next morning.

Gone are the days when you just turned on Channel 11 or YES and saw every single game. Now, figuring out what time do the yankees play today on tv requires a PhD in streaming services.

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Honestly, it’s a mess. You’ve got the standard YES Network games, which cover the bulk of the 162-game grind. But then you have the "exclusive" windows.

  1. Apple TV+: These Friday night games are still a thing. If the Yankees are on Apple TV+, they won’t be on YES.
  2. Amazon Prime: Usually, a handful of Wednesday or Friday games are cord-cutter specials.
  3. Sunday Night Baseball (ESPN): The schedule for 2026 is surprisingly light on Yankees-Red Sox matchups for the Sunday night slot, but you can bet Aaron Judge and the crew will still be featured at 7:00 PM ET or 8:00 PM ET at least five or six times.
  4. The Gotham Sports App: This is the new reality for local fans. It’s the combined home for YES and MSG, so if you don't have traditional cable, this is where you'll be living.

Why the Schedule Feels Different This Year

The 2026 season is a bit of a weird one because of the World Baseball Classic (WBC). That’s why Spring Training starts so early and why the regular season opener is tucked into late March.

A lot of your favorite Yankees, including Aaron Judge and possibly some of the newer acquisitions, might be shuffling between camp in Tampa and WBC sites like Miami or San Juan. This means the "team" you see on TV in early March might look more like the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders than the New York Yankees.

If you see a game listed at 1:05 PM and the lineup is full of guys wearing numbers in the 90s, don't be surprised. It’s part of the process.

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The Ryan Weathers Factor

Since there's no game on today, the biggest Yankees news is the trade that just went down. Bringing in Ryan Weathers is a classic Brian Cashman move. He's a former top prospect who has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency.

With the Yankees officially starting their season at Oracle Park in San Francisco, having a lefty who can eat innings is huge. Plus, it's a cool bit of history—Ryan’s dad, David Weathers, pitched for the Yankees in the late 90s. They’re now part of a very short list of father-son duos to wear the pinstripes.

Actionable Steps for the "Off-Day"

Since the Yankees aren't on TV today, here is how you can actually prepare for when they are:

  • Check your YES Network Auth: Log into the Gotham Sports App now. Don't wait until March 25th at 9:55 PM to realize you forgot your password.
  • Sync your calendar: Go to the official Yankees site and download the 2026 schedule to your phone. It adjusts for your local time zone automatically, so you'll never have to ask "what time do they play" again.
  • Watch the "Hot Stove" reports: Since it's mid-January, YES Network runs "Yankees Hot Stove" regularly in the evenings. It’s usually on around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM ET and will give you all the breakdown on the Weathers trade.

The wait for real baseball is almost over. We are about five weeks away from seeing live pitching again. Hang in there.