Yankees vs Rays ALDS Game 3: Start Time, Pitchers & How to Watch
The New York Yankees face a must-win game against the Tampa Bay Rays when the American League Division Series moves to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Tampa Bay hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five ALDS, putting the Rays one victory away from the American League Championship Series and leaving New York with no room for another defeat.
The Yankees will hand the ball to left-hander Max Fried, while the Rays will start right-hander Nick Martinez.
Here is everything you need to know about Yankees vs Rays ALDS Game 3, including the start time, probable pitchers, TV and streaming information and the major storylines heading into the elimination game.
Yankees vs Rays ALDS Game 3: Date and Start Time
Match: Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
Competition: 2026 American League Division Series
Game: ALDS Game 3
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Yankee Stadium, New York
Series: Rays lead 2-0
The change of venue gives the Yankees an opportunity to respond in front of their home crowd after Tampa Bay won both opening games at Tropicana Field.
How to Watch Yankees vs Rays Game 3
Fans in the United States can watch Game 3 nationally on TBS and truTV.
The game will also be available to stream on HBO Max.
Spanish-language television coverage is available on UniMás, while TUDN Radio will provide Spanish-language audio coverage.
ESPN Radio will carry national radio coverage of the MLB postseason.
TV: TBS / truTV
Streaming: HBO Max
Spanish TV: UniMás
Radio: ESPN Radio
First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Yankees vs Rays Game 3 Probable Pitchers
New York Yankees: Max Fried, LHP
The Yankees will put their season in the hands of Max Fried.
Fried finished the regular season with a 5-5 record and 2.80 ERA, and his history against Tampa Bay gives New York reason for confidence.
The left-hander is 5-1 with a 1.81 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays.
Fried also enters Game 3 after an impressive Wild Card Series performance against Boston, when he allowed only one run across six innings while striking out six.
With New York facing elimination, another strong outing could be essential.
Tampa Bay Rays: Nick Martinez, RHP
Tampa Bay will counter with Nick Martinez, who went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA during the regular season.
Martinez was particularly effective away from home.
He went 7-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 16 road starts and also pitched well in two appearances at Yankee Stadium, allowing only three runs across 12 innings.
With Tampa Bay's bullpen relatively fresh after strong performances from its starters in Games 1 and 2, Martinez does not necessarily need to pitch deep into the game for the Rays to be in a strong position.
Rays Take Commanding 2-0 Series Lead
Tampa Bay have controlled the series through the opening two games.
The Rays' pitching staff has limited what had been a dangerous Yankees lineup to only two runs through the first 18 innings of the series.
New York struggled against Drew Rasmussen in Game 1 before defensive mistakes contributed to another defeat in Game 2.
That leaves the Yankees needing three consecutive victories to advance.
Tampa Bay need only one.
Yankees Return Home Facing Elimination
Game 3 represents the first time this series will be played at Yankee Stadium.
That could be important for New York.
The Yankees won four of six games against Tampa Bay in the Bronx during the regular season, including three of four during the final week.
But the Rays also have positive memories of Yankee Stadium.
Tampa Bay clinched the 2026 AL East title there with a 6-1 victory on September 22.
Now the Rays have an opportunity for an even bigger celebration in the Bronx.
A Game 3 victory would end New York's season and send Tampa Bay to the ALCS.
Aaron Judge Remains Out for Yankees
New York will once again be without captain Aaron Judge.
Judge was left off the Yankees' ALDS roster as he continues recovering from a right calf strain.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the decision was close, but Judge had not progressed far enough in his recovery to make the roster.
His absence puts additional pressure on the rest of New York's lineup to produce.
Ben Rice Is the Yankees Hitter to Watch
Ben Rice has emerged as New York's biggest offensive threat during the postseason.
Rice enters Game 3 batting 7-for-15 (.467) in the playoffs.
He has four postseason home runs and eight RBIs, including a two-homer performance in ALDS Game 2.
Austin Wells has also been productive, but the Yankees need more hitters to contribute if they are going to overcome Tampa Bay's pitching.
Rays Pitching Has Been the Difference
Tampa Bay's starting rotation has put the club in an excellent position.
Drew Rasmussen worked eight innings in Game 1, while Freddy Peralta and Ian Seymour combined for 7 2/3 innings in Game 2.
As a result, the Rays have not needed to place a heavy workload on their traditional relievers.
That gives Tampa Bay plenty of options behind Martinez in Game 3.
If Martinez can keep New York quiet through the early innings, the Rays could once again turn the game over to a rested bullpen.
What Happens If the Yankees Lose Game 3?
The Yankees will be eliminated from the 2026 MLB postseason if they lose.
Tampa Bay would win the ALDS 3-0 and advance to the American League Championship Series.
There is therefore no complicated scenario for New York.
They must win.
What Happens If the Yankees Win?
A New York victory would reduce Tampa Bay's series advantage to 2-1 and force Game 4.
Game 4 would also be played at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, October 8.
If the Yankees can win both home games, the series would return to Tampa Bay for a decisive Game 5.
But New York cannot reach either of those games without first surviving Wednesday night.
Yankees vs Rays Game 3: Key Players to Watch
Max Fried: New York's season could depend heavily on its starting pitcher. His excellent career numbers against Tampa Bay make him one of the biggest reasons for Yankees optimism.
Nick Martinez: The Rays starter has been excellent away from home and has already enjoyed success at Yankee Stadium this season.
Ben Rice: With Judge unavailable, Rice has become the Yankees' most dangerous postseason hitter.
Jonathan Aranda: Aranda has been an important part of Tampa Bay's offense and enters Game 3 as one of the Rays hitters New York must contain.
Junior Caminero: One of the most dangerous power threats in Tampa Bay's lineup, Caminero can change the game with one swing.
Yankees vs Rays Game 3 Prediction
The Rays have all the momentum, but Game 3 could be the Yankees' best opportunity to change the series.
New York are returning home and have Fried on the mound, a pitcher who has historically performed extremely well against Tampa Bay.
The Rays, however, have a major advantage of their own.
Their pitching staff has controlled New York through the first two games, and their bullpen enters Game 3 in excellent condition.
Expect the opening innings to be crucial.
If Fried can keep the Rays off the scoreboard and New York can finally generate early offense, the Yankees have a realistic chance of extending the series.
If Tampa Bay score first and force New York to chase the game again, the pressure inside Yankee Stadium could quickly increase.
Yankees vs Rays Game 3 FAQs
What time is Yankees vs Rays ALDS Game 3?
Yankees vs Rays Game 3 starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Where is Yankees vs Rays Game 3?
Game 3 will be played at Yankee Stadium in New York.
What channel is Yankees vs Rays Game 3 on?
The game will be nationally televised on TBS and truTV in the United States.
Can I stream Yankees vs Rays Game 3?
Yes. The game will be available to stream on HBO Max.
Who is pitching for the Yankees in Game 3?
Max Fried is the Yankees' scheduled starting pitcher.
Who is pitching for the Rays?
Nick Martinez is scheduled to start for Tampa Bay.
What is the Yankees vs Rays series score?
The Rays lead the best-of-five ALDS 2-0.
Are the Yankees eliminated if they lose?
Yes. A Game 3 defeat would eliminate the Yankees and send Tampa Bay to the ALCS.
Final Word
The Yankees' season has reached its most important night.
Tampa Bay arrive at Yankee Stadium with a 2-0 series lead and need only one more victory to advance to the ALCS.
New York will hope that returning home and putting Max Fried on the mound can finally shift the momentum.
For the Rays, another strong pitching performance could finish the job.
For the Yankees, the equation is much simpler:
Win Game 3 or the season is over.
