ALDS Game 3 Preview: Max Fried vs. Nick Martinez

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images Despite the impending birth of his firstborn child, Max Fried

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What is the story about?

Despite the impending birth of his firstborn child, Max Fried is starting Game 3 as the Yankees look to avoid elimination from the ALDS.

During his last outing against the Red Sox in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, Fried held steadfast through six innings, striking out six and giving up a home run (a solo shot). With an offense that isn’t offering much support outside of Ben Rice, the Yankees can’t afford any mistakes from Fried tonight as they anticipate continuing their postseason run with a win

at home. There’s no doubt that the roars from the Bronx crowd in an elimination game can be intimidating, but Fried must block out the noise to stay focused on shutting down the Rays’ offense.

It’s possible that home-field advantage could help the Yankees’ offense and hopefully fuel some fire as they fight through every at-bat. They’ll need as much ammunition as they can get to face Rays righty Nick Martinez, who has a 2.25 ERA through 12 innings in the Bronx this season with 14 hits and three earned runs allowed.

Yankees skipper Aaron Boone is expected to shuffle around the lineup heading into the do-or-die scenario, and it would be reassuring to give a few guys on the bench, including José Caballero and Anthony Volpe, a shot at making the start. Errors from Game 1 and Game 2 starters Ryan McMahon and Jazz Chisholm Jr. have frustrated fans, to say the least, and it would be reassuring to give Caballero and Volpe a shot at keeping the Yankees’ postseason run going for another day. Boone was reportedly considering starting Volpe at third over McMahon for Game 2, but was quoted as saying he wanted to “prioritize the defense.”

Volpe made his last postseason start in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series and got a hit off Red Sox rookie Payton Tolle. Caballero, on the other hand, has yet to make his postseason debut at the plate this year. He does, however, have decent numbers against righties this season, batting .233 with .295 OBP and .666 OPS.

The Yankees have their work cut out for them as they strive to stay alive against Tampa Bay, and hopefully we’ll see some changes to the starting nine that can instill some feelings of confidence.