Aaron Judge isn’t the only star on the Yankees who has something to demonstrate this playoffs.
With his recent playoff struggles, it’s reasonable to examine the case of Max Fried, who is set to pitch against the Red Sox on Tuesday night for Game 1 of the Wild Card series at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees’ playoff fate might hinge on this performance.
The left-handed pitcher, once seen as a major asset when the Yankees signed him to an eight-year, $218 million contract this offseason, is facing pressure to deliver. But what about his previous playoff outings—all with Atlanta?
In those three starts, he allowed 12 runs over just 9⅓ innings, landing him with a dismal 11.57 ERA.
These struggles stand out particularly after an impressive moment in his career, where he played a crucial role in winning the 2021 World Series against the Astros with six scoreless innings in Game 6.
“You can use these experiences to your advantage,” Fried mentioned after training on Monday. “It’s about learning and progressing. But this is a different game. A new season with new challenges.”
He’s right about that. The 31-year-old hasn’t just been stuck in the past. He set career highs this season in multiple categories and bounced back from a rough midseason, where he had a 6.80 ERA during eight starts from July 1 to August 16.
In his last seven regular-season appearances, Fried significantly improved, posting a 1.55 ERA and helping the Yankees to a 6-1 record.
However, if things don’t work out on Tuesday, all that could be forgotten.
“There’s no certainty I’ll be starting again,” Fried noted. “This could be it for a while. We’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
He was anticipated to lead the Yankees’ rotation alongside Gerrit Cole before Cole needed Tommy John’s surgery during spring training. Fried will now share the rotation responsibilities with Carlos Rodon and Will Warren as they face the Red Sox, a crucial test for him.
“He’s had a fantastic season,” Aaron Boone commented. “He’s established himself as an elite pitcher, and coming to New York can be daunting, especially for a big-name free agent.”
But Tuesday presents a different environment.
Even pitchers who have been in the majors for nine seasons—and who have a World Series title under their belts—know that pitching in the Bronx during the playoffs carries its own weight.
“I’ve never pitched in the postseason at Yankee Stadium,” Fried admitted. “I can only hope the atmosphere will be electric.”
