Rays plan to start Nick Martinez in ALDS Game 3 at Yankee Stadium

Sports admin October 6, 2026 0 Comments

Rays plan to start Nick Martinez in ALDS Game 3 at Yankee Stadium

The Rays plan to start veteran right-hander Nick Martinez in Game 3 of the American League Division Series Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

Martinez, 36, delivered a strong season for the Rays, going 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA. But he was markedly better on the road (7-3, 2.38, 8 homers, .618 OPS) than at Tropicana Field (8-3, 3.90, 14 homers, .743 OPS).

The Rays officially announced their plans following Monday’s game, which was started by Freddy Peralta.

Speaking Monday afternoon, Martinez, who signed a one-year deal with the Rays just prior to the start of spring training, said he was just appreciative of the opportunity to pitch.

“In the postseason, it’s just about getting outs,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how or when they come. It’s just about being ready when your name is called and doing what you can to help a team win.”

Martinez pitched in two previous postseasons, but this will be his first start. He made eight relief appearances over three rounds for the 2022 Padres, who were ousted in the National League Championship Series by the Phillies, and one for the 2025 Reds in the Wild Card Series against the Dodgers.

The Yankees are expected to start lefty Max Fried in Game 3, with their other lefty, Carlos Rodon, available in relief or to start Game 4. There is a potential complication, per media reports, as Fried’s girlfriend is due to deliver a baby this week.

Familiar face

Carlos Peña was one of the most popular Rays during his five seasons with the team (2007-10, 2012) and was thrilled to be invited to throw out the first pitch Monday night.

And Peña made it quite clear he likes what he sees from this year’s team.

“It reminds me our (2008 World Series) team,” Peña said. “You want to talk about speed, power and doing some crazy, maybe out-of-the-box type stuff, like when (then-manager) Joe Maddon was bringing this new style of play and everybody’s like, the heck is he doing? That was us. …

“Now the speed’s there, the power’s there, the defense is there. They’re running the bases, playing small ball all of a sudden, going against the grain. The industry shifted, and here come the Rays again, innovating and setting a new standard. That’s us.”

Former Bucs coach Jon Gruden recorded a pregame hype video for the team, then Monday followed it up by coming onto the field with a live encore, yelling “Let’s Go Rays!”

Big swingers

Rays third baseman Junior Caminero and DH Yandy Diaz were two of the 10 nominees announced Monday for the American League Hank Aaron award, which honors the most outstanding regular-season performances.

Caminero hit .276 with 42 homers, 101 RBIs and an .885 OPS. Diaz hit .293 with 22 homers, 85 RBIs, an .805 OPS and an AL-most 180 hits.

“It says they’ve had great seasons,” manager Kevin Cash said. “That’s quite the award to be even in the conversation with. It also speaks to maybe the lack of homers that supposedly we do not hit. We do have some guys that can knock the ball out of the ballpark. If you’re getting an award or nominated to be in conversation with Hank Aaron, you’re pretty powerful.”

Lining up

The Rays had right-handed-hitting outfielder Jonny DeLuca in the lineup Monday against hard-throwing Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler. It was DeLuca’s second straight start against a righty pitcher ahead of lefty swinger Cedric Mullins. Deluca finished the night with one hit and one run. … The Yankees had eight lefties in their lineup vs. Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta. Manager Aaron Boone said he preferred to keep ex-Ray Jose Caballero available to come off the bench due to his versatility.

Miscellany

It’s obviously a moot point, but Cash said had Drew Rasmussen gotten through the eighth inning Saturday without allowing a hit (which he did on his 101st and final pitch), he would have gotten the chance to try to complete the third no-hitter by a single pitcher (the Astros had a combined no-hitter in the 2022 World Series) in postseason history. “He was pitching,” Cash said. “He was going.” … Tony La Russa, the Tampa-born Hall of Fame manager for the White Sox, A’s and Cardinals, has been at the Trop this week scouting for the AL wild card Sox, for whom he is a special adviser.

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This story was originally published October 5, 2026 at 7:21 PM.