Baseball

Yankees Look to Build Momentum Against Twins with Beck’s MLB Debut

by
William Caldwell
July 4, 2026

The Yankees finally broke their losing streak, securing a victory last night for the first time in over a week. With that win under their belt, they now have a chance to string together two wins in a row, which, while not officially a winning streak, is a step in the right direction for the struggling team.

In a pivotal matchup, rookie Brendan Beck takes the mound for his first Major League start. Previously, Beck made one appearance as a bulk pitcher back in May, but it didn’t go as planned. However, his performance at Triple-A Scranton has been promising, boasting a 26 percent strikeout rate over 88.1 innings this season. Despite these encouraging numbers, the Yankees are cautious about his readiness for a full-time role as a starter. The hope is that the offense can provide sufficient support to ease his transition.

Opposing Beck is Zebby Matthews, who has had a unique year in 2026. Matthews has recorded both a career-low walk rate and a career-low strikeout rate, leading to an up-and-down tenure between the majors and the St. Paul Saints. For Matthews, the key to staying with the big league club is limiting home runs. He ranks among the bottom 20 in baseball in home run rate, and while he may have the luxury of missing power hitters like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees still boast several players capable of hitting the long ball.

The Yankees are sticking with most of their starting lineup from yesterday’s game, though the presence of Anthony Volpe in the fifth spot raises some eyebrows. Max Schuemann takes over in center field following Spencer Jones’ demotion, while Trent Grisham serves as the designated hitter. Ali Sánchez will catch and bat ninth, rounding out the lineup as they look to capitalize on their recent momentum.

How to watch: The game will take place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, with first pitch set for 1:35 pm ET. Fans can catch the action on YES or TwinsTV. Radio broadcasts will be available on WFAN 660/101.9 FM and WADO 1280 for the Yankees, while Twins fans can listen on TIBN, WCCO 830, and The Wolf 102.9 FM. Streaming options include the Gotham Sports App and MLB.TV for out-of-market viewers.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

William Caldwell

William Caldwell is a veteran journalist whose career has spanned the highs and lows of the sports world. With a focus on baseball and hockey, William’s articles are known for their depth and historical perspective, making him a favorite among fans who appreciate the rich traditions of sports. Outside the press box, William is an amateur historian with a particular interest in sports memorabilia.