Yankees’ Max Fried to start Game 3 vs. Rays

The New York Yankees could be facing a win-or-go-home game on Wednesday in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. The Yankees lost to the Rays in Game 1, struggling at the plate in the 1-0 loss. Cam Schlittler will attempt to even the series for the Yankees on Monday night.

Game 3 will be set for Wednesday back in New York, and now the team has decided on a starting pitcher, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post.

“Yankees are planning to start Max Fried in Game 3,” Heyman posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Fried started the decided game two of the Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox. In that outing, he went six innings, giving up three hits and a walk. One of the hits was a home run and was the only run he gave up. Fried also struck out six batters. Fried did not have a ton of success against the Rays this year. In his first start against Tampa Bay, he went eight innings, giving up three runs. The Yankees would lose the game 5-4 in ten innings. That was back on April 11.

He also faced the Rays on September 22. In that game, he gave up four runs in six and two-thirds innings, taking the loss.

Fried has also struggled in the playoffs in his career. Between his time with the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees, he has made 23 appearances with 15 starts. The lefty is just 3-6 with a 5.03 ERA.

The Yankees will be looking to even the series against the Rays on Monday night, with Schlittler on the mound.