Yankees Tap Max Fried for Crucial Game 3 Start Against Rays

The New York Yankees are officially handing the ball to Max Fried for Game 3 of their playoff series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Jon Heyman reported the rotation decision, setting up the veteran lefty for a massive start when the series shifts to the Bronx on October 8.

This is exactly why you go out and get a guy like Fried. After dropping Game 1 in a brutal 1-0 rock fight down in Florida, the Yankees are staring at a razor-thin margin for error.

"Jon Heyman reported the Yankees' plan to start Max Fried in Game 3."

Handing the ball to a battle-tested lefty in October is the baseball equivalent of calling your dad when your car breaks down on the highway. You just need someone who has seen this exact disaster before and knows how to fix it without panicking.

The stakes for Game 3 are entirely dependent on what happens in Game 2, but neither scenario is exactly a low-stress environment. If New York drops the second game, Fried will be pitching to save the season. If they split, he is pitching to take control of the series.

Tampa Bay has already proven they can completely neutralize the Yankees lineup. That means Fried is not just going to have to pitch well, he might have to throw a shutout just to give his offense a chance to wake up.

Bettors and fans alike will be watching the line movement closely as we get closer to first pitch. A home playoff start for a premium pitcher usually commands respect, but the Rays have a habit of turning expensive rosters into pumpkins.

We will see if the Yankees can find their bats before they pack their bags for New York. If not, Fried is going to need to be absolutely perfect.