The New York Yankees will take their home field Wednesday night with their backs against the wall.
The Yanks are facing elimination as they trail the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 in the American League Division Series, needing three straight wins to move on.
It goes without saying that the Yanks should like their chances to survive at least one more day, as Max Fried will toe the slab in the Bronx – unless the offense continues to have other plans.
However, rumors swirled that Fried is expecting a baby at any moment, potentially putting his start in jeopardy.
Fried, without getting “too into the personal stuff,” confirmed Tuesday the news that he is having a baby “any day now.” However, no matter what happens, Fried will be on the bump in the Bronx.
“I’ve got a really supportive family that understands that this is my job, and it’s not going to affect what happens tomorrow,” Fried said.
When asked if the baby “complicated” any plans, he simply answered, “No.”
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Fried’s commitment to the Yanks came just hours before the San Diego Padres announced that star closer Mason Miller would miss one to three days after going on the paternity list for the birth of his firstborn. Miller blew a save in Game 2, but his Padres survived without him in Game 3 and trail their series with the Milwaukee Brewers, two games to one.
Fried has missed some time with injuries this season, but when he’s been on the mound, he’s been his typical ace-like self. He pitched to a 2.80 ERA (35 earned runs/112.2 innings) and is coming off a six-inning, one-run gem against the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Round.
The Yankees, however, are hitting .086 this series, and players not named Ben Rice and Austin Wells are a combined 1-for-46.
First pitch in the Bronx is shortly after 8 p.m. ET.
