Rays’ Nick Martinez can put end to Yankees season

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez will start Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. Holding a 2-0 series lead, the Rays have an opportunity to advance to their first ALCS since 2020 behind Martinez, who posted a 7-3 record with a 2.38 ERA across 16 road starts this season.

The 36-year-old pitcher won a career-high 16 games after signing a one-year, $13 million deal with Tampa Bay. Rays manager Kevin Cash noted that Martinez relies on inducing soft contact and generating early swings with his changeup and cutter rather than piling up strikeouts.