The first two games are a poor guide to this pitching matchup. Nick Martinez takes over with Tampa Bay’s main relievers fresh behind him. The Rays can send a right-handed leaning order against Max Fried, who has already seen them in the Bronx this season. The starter-to-bullpen handoff is where this game turns.
Martinez allowed three runs across 12 innings in two earlier starts at Yankee Stadium. Tampa Bay scored four runs during Fried’s most recent start against them there. The opening games followed different scripts: Drew Rasmussen worked eight shutout innings in one, and New York made four errors in the other.
Aaron Judge is off New York’s roster for this series, and Ben Rice and Austin Wells have supplied most of its hits so far. Tampa Bay can still call on Tyler Wells, Kevin Kelly and Griffin Jax after its starters covered most of the first two games. That gives the Rays a clear route through the late innings.
