Rays Take 2-0 AL Series Lead Over Yankees as Martinez Eyes Clincher

Q: Will a former ejected college student be the pitcher who officially ends the Yankees' playoff hopes in the Bronx?

Yes—Nick Martinez is very much positioned to be that pitcher, though it is not a certainty. The “former ejected college student” is Martinez, who has openly joked that he was thrown out of Yankee Stadium as a Fordham student after a rowdy Red Sox-Yankees game. Now he returns to the Bronx as Tampa Bay’s Game 3 starter with the Rays up 2-0 and one win from ending New York’s season. The matchup gives Tampa Bay reason for confidence. Martinez went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA this season, was even better on the road with a 2.38 ERA, and handled the Yankees well during the regular season, allowing only four earned runs in 16.2 innings over three appearances. He has also pitched effectively at Yankee Stadium this year, and Tampa Bay’s staff has already held New York to just two runs in the first two games of the series. That said, he is not the only factor in whether the Yankees are eliminated. Max Fried gives New York a credible chance to extend the series after a strong Wild Card outing, and the Yankees were a solid home team in the regular season. If they clean up the defense that unraveled in Game 2 and produce more than isolated home runs, they can still force a Game 4. Still, the larger picture favors Tampa Bay. The Rays have the momentum, the cleaner execution, and a starter with strong recent and seasonal numbers against this opponent. Martinez could absolutely be the one who officially ends the Yankees’ playoff hopes in the Bronx.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 7

Tampa Bay enters the next playoff game up 2-0 over New York, putting the Yankees one loss from elimination in the American League series.
Two different wins built that lead: Drew Rasmussen stifled Yankees hitters in Game 1, then New York's sloppy defense and more solid Rays pitching swung Game 2.
Nick Martinez gives Tampa Bay a strong chance to close it out after a 15-6 season with a 3.10 ERA; he allowed four earned runs in 16.2 innings against the Yankees this year.
Max Fried starts for New York after six strong innings against Boston in the Wild Card round, but he has a higher home ERA and gave up seven earned runs in 14.2 innings versus Tampa Bay this season.
The Yankees return home, where they finished 12 games over .500, but their home run-heavy offense has looked exposed against Tampa Bay's pitching.