Yankees, Rays announce Fried and Martinez as starters for ALDS Game 3

Max Fried will take the ball for the Yankees against right-hander Nick Martinez and the Rays on Wednesday. Tampa Bay led the series 1-0 entering play Monday night.

Catch all 2026 MLB post-season action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

Fried, 32, last started Game 2 of the Yankees’ wild-card series against the Red Sox on Sept. 30, when he pitched six innings of one-run ball.

The veteran lefty pitched to a 2.80 ERA with 104 strikeouts and 33 walks over 112.2 innings this season — missing time throughout the season due to left elbow bone bruise — but has had mixed results in the playoffs.

Fried has a 5.03 career ERA in the post-season and has struggled at times, but also pitched six shutout innings in a World Series-clinching win for the Atlanta Braves in 2021.

Meanwhile, Martinez has had a breakout season for the Rays, recording a 3.10 ERA with 109 strikeouts and 26 walks over 180 innings in his first season as a full-time starter since returning to MLB in 2022.

The Yankees offence will try to get something going after being shut out in Game 1 and being held hitless by Rays starter Drew Rasmussen through the first 7.2 innings.