It all comes down to Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium as the Yankees look to avoid a sweep and elimination in Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the Rays.
Despite coming off an electric offensive explosion in the Wild Card Series, the Yankees offense has been unable to produce against Tampa Bay’s pitching staff, putting the Pinstripes in a two-game deficit in the ALDS. However, there is a lot to expect from Ben Rice, who has stepped up as a leader for this team in Aaron Judge’s absence. He’s
gone 7-for-15 this postseason and is the first player in franchise history to have more than one multiple-home-run game under his belt in a single playoff year.
The offense is partly to blame for the Yankees’ failure to even the series, but one of the most glaring flaws from Game 2 is the infield errors that eroded the Yankees’ defensive efficiency. Boone shuffled around the lineup for Game 3, subbing José Caballero in for Ryan McMahon at third and Anthony Volpe in for Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second.
Max Fried will look to secure his second win this postseason as he prepares to face a gritty Rays lineup that’s carved through the Yankees’ rotation over the last few days. Rumors were circulating earlier this week that he may not start in Game 3 because his girlfriend is due to give birth any day now, but he met with the media on Tuesday to confirm that he’ll take the ball.
Fried got through six innings against the Red Sox, striking out six with three hits and one run allowed in the Wild Card Series. He’ll look to deny the Rays’ offense any opportunity to gain an edge, with the support of the Bronx crowd, and allow the Yankees offense the chance to explode.
Nick Martinez will make his first career postseason start against the Yankees. His last playoff appearance was with the Reds in Game 2 of the 2025 NL Wild Card Series, where he gave up four runs in the sixth inning to put the Dodgers ahead 7-2. Although his numbers have improved since joining Tampa Bay and he finished the regular season with a 3.10 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, the Yankees will have no trouble giving him a tough battle if he pitches like he did last October.
The Rays’ lineup remains consistent with Yandy Díaz in the leadoff spot, followed by Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero. Tampa Bay has struggled as a whole against lefties in 2026, so the optimists can turn to that with Fried on the bump.
It’ll surely be a long night of bracing for the worst and hoping for the best as the Yankees strive to keep the chase for 28 ongoing.
ALDS Game 3 Info
Teams: No. 4 seed Yankees vs. No. 1 seed Rays
Series: Rays ahead 2-0
Ballpark: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Start time: 8:00 p.m.
TV: TBS/truTV
Streaming: HBO Max
National radio: ESPN Radio (Mike Couzens, Eduardo Pérez, Tim Kurkjian)
Local English radio: WFAN 660 AM / 101.9 FM
Local Spanish radio: WADO 1280 AM
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