First pitch 8:00 PM ET
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
TV: TBS / truTV / HBO Max
This is Game 3 of the best-of-five American League Division Series. The Rays lead 2-0 after strong pitching and opportunistic offense (plus Yankees defensive miscues) in the first two games at Tropicana Field. The series shifts to Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees must win to avoid elimination. Nick Martinez (RHP) starts for Tampa Bay opposite Max Fried (LHP) for New York.
Venue and Weather
Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York.
First pitch: 8:00 PM ET.
Weather forecast
Mostly clear to sunny conditions. Temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s°F around game time (highs near 64-68°F during the day, cooling into the upper 50s/low 60s later). Light winds (around 5-11 mph, directions varying from SW/S to WNW in reports), low precipitation chance (near 0-3%). Cooler, clear weather typically favors pitchers slightly and can suppress extreme power, though Yankee Stadium’s dimensions still allow for home runs.
Current Records and Recent Form
Rays (ALDS 2-0; regular season 98-64): AL East champions with home-field advantage. Dominated Games 1-2: 1-0 (Drew Rasmussen masterful) and 5-2 (capitalizing on four Yankees errors). Strong small-ball and opportunistic play; solid bullpen (Bryan Baker locking down saves). Road success this season supports their case.
Yankees (ALDS 0-2; regular season 93-68): Wild Card winners who swept Boston but have struggled offensively (only two runs in two games, both via Ben Rice homers) and defensively. Facing elimination. Home crowd and Fried give them a chance to reset.
Injury Reports
Rays: Relatively healthy for the series. Notable longer-term absences include Shane McClanahan (forearm, out for series), Gavin Lux (shoulder), Ryan Pepiot (hip), and others on IL, but the ALDS roster is intact with key contributors available. Griffin Jax (back) monitored but expected available in some reports.
Yankees: Aaron Judge (right calf strain) left off the ALDS roster entirely (missed Wild Card as well; continuing rehab). Clarke Schmidt (biceps) out for postseason. Other pitchers (e.g., Fernando Cruz, Kervin Castro) on longer IL. Giancarlo Stanton is rostered as a potential pinch-hitter option despite limited recent play.
Current Rosters / Key Contributors
Rays (26-man ALDS roster highlights):
Position players include Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero, Richie Palacios, Chandler Simpson, Jonny DeLuca, Liam Hicks, Taylor Walls, Cedric Mullins, and others. Pitching: Nick Martinez (Game 3 starter; strong regular-season 15-6, 3.10 ERA overall, better on road), Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, bullpen arms like Bryan Baker, Cam Booser, Garrett Cleavinger.
Yankees (26-man ALDS roster highlights):
Position players: Ben Rice (hot with multi-homer games), Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Luis García Jr., Trent Grisham, Spencer Jones, Austin Wells, Ryan McMahon, George Lombard Jr., Paul Goldschmidt, Giancarlo Stanton (bench). Pitching: Max Fried (Game 3; 5-5, 2.80 ERA in limited/injury-managed season, strong when healthy), Gerrit Cole, Cam Schlittler, Carlos Rodón, bullpen depth.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Nick Martinez vs. Yankees lineup (esp. left-handed bats like Rice, Bellinger, Chisholm): Martinez’s changeup and control (low walk rate) have been effective; Yankees need better contact and fewer free bases.
Max Fried vs. Rays contact hitters (Díaz, Aranda, Caminero, Palacios): Fried’s command and ability to limit hard contact (low barrel rates in reports) against Tampa Bay’s opportunistic, high-OBP style.
Ben Rice / Yankees power vs. Rays pitching: Rice has provided New York’s only offense; needs support without Judge.
Rays speed/defense (Simpson, Palacios, Walls) vs. Yankees infield: Tampa Bay has exploited defensive lapses; cleaner play is critical for New York.
Special teams/bullpen: Both sides have reliable late relief (Baker for Rays; Yankees depth).
Series History
Rays lead the 2026 ALDS 2-0. Regular-season series was competitive (split results in late September meetings). Historical AL East rivalry features many tight contests; postseason meetings have been rare but intense. Yankees have struggled recently in elimination scenarios without their full complement of stars.
Betting Trends
Rays have covered and gone under in the series so far. Yankees strong at home historically but cold offensively. Public may lean Yankees on home/pitching edge; value discussions around Rays + money or under.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Rays 7
New York Yankees – 158
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, October 6, 2026
