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Trent Grisham was moved to hit leadoff for the Yankees in Game 3 of their ALDS against the Rays, despite having the lowest batting average and OPS among leadoff hitters this season. He struck out three times during the game, including his final at-bat which drew boos from the crowd. Manager Aaron Boone hoped Grisham would get on base to help Ben Rice, who had been a key hitter for the Yankees in the series. However, Grisham's poor performance contributed to the Yankees' loss and their elimination from the playoffs.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Boone's future with the Yankees could hinge on team defense; Martinez (15-6) lost his last two games of the season, giving up six runs over 8 ²/₃ innings. Max Fried allowed one run over six innings to the Bosox in the wild-card round but struggled against Rays in Game 3. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells had key moments that affected the game's outcome. The Yankees made four errors in Game 2, including a critical base-running blunder by Wells. Trent Grisham was given the leadoff spot despite being one of the worst leadoff hitters this season. Nick Martinez, Fordham alum, faces Max Fried in what could be a decisive game for both teams. DIRECTV offers a five-day free trial to watch Yankees vs. Rays Game 3 on TBS at 8 PM ET. Carlos Rondón did not factor into the ALDS games despite strong regular-season performance. Gerrit Cole also struggled against their division rivals, highlighting lineup issues for the Yankees. Matt Blake, Yankees' pitching coach, stated they would ride Max Fried in Game 3 due to his familiarity with the team. Fans speculate that if Boone stays, it might be attributed to "team defense letting him down." Jimmy Heimbuch from Oak Ridge suggests light at the end of the tunnel for Yankees despite recent struggles. Dan Martin emphasizes lineup weaknesses were key issues against AL East rivals in the playoffs. Penn & Teller would have been impressed by defensive mishaps during Game 2. Stitch, @dukesniders, highlights Dodgers' victory with Yoshinobu Yamamoto's performance, leading to a significant win for them. Matt Levy provides free livestream options and reminders on how to watch the critical ALDS Game 3. Drew Rasmussen pitched an impressive 7 2/3 innings of no-hit ball in Game 1. Cam Schlittler, Rays ace, set Yankees behind after errors. Kevin Cash's club won Game 2 with a strong performance. Fried's girlfriend, Reni Meyer-Whalley, is pregnant and may give birth soon. Reni Whalley's due date could coincide with postseason games. Max Fried understands the pressure of potentially facing short leash in critical situations. Tampa Bay Rays' Nick Martinez has a chance to close the door on Yankees' season. Duke Snider's significant win at -210 odds highlights the stakes for both teams. DIRECTV offers free trial to watch Game 3 live. Matt Blake remains committed to supporting Max Fried in crucial moments despite recent struggles. Kevin Cash praised his team’s performance after winning Game 2 against Yankees’ defensive lapses. Gerrit Cole's and Max Fried's performances highlight the need for better support from the lineup. Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s and Austin Wells' roles were critical in Game 3, affecting the game’s outcome significantly. Matt Blake emphasizes the importance of supporting Max Fried despite recent issues. Kevin Cash praised his team's resilience after winning Game 2 against Yankees’ errors. Carlos Rondón did not factor into playoff games but had strong regular-season performance. Max Fried acknowledges the pressure and understands the need to perform in decisive moments. Nick Martinez faces Max Fried with high stakes for both teams' seasons. Tampa Bay Rays' Drew Rasmussen's Game 1 no-hit performance against Yankees set a tough standard for Yankees’ lineup. Kevin Cash praised his team’s resilience after winning Game 2, highlighting the need for strong defensive play from Yankees. Gerrit Cole's and Max Fried's performances underscore the importance of support from the bullpen and defense. Trent Grisham's struggles in leadoff spot highlight lineup weaknesses during critical moments. Duke Snider's significant win at -210 odds highlights the pressure on both teams. Matt Blake's commitment to Max Fried despite recent issues demonstrates trust in starting pitcher’s ability. Kevin Cash's praise for his team’s performance after winning Game 2 emphasizes defensive play as a crucial factor. Nick Martinez's decisive role against Yankees’ lineup could be pivotal in determining the series outcome. Max Fried's understanding of pressure and support from pitching coach highlights teamwork during critical moments. Carlos Rondón's regular-season success versus playoff struggles highlight bullpen issues for Yankees. Kevin Cash praised his team’s resilience after winning Game 2, demonstrating defensive play as a key factor in the series outcome. Gerrit Cole's and Max Fried's performances underscore lineup support needed from bullpens during critical moments.
Written for “Yankees Lose ALDS” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 14 other(s) covering the same event.
Trent Grisham hit leadoff with the idea of getting more base runners on in front of Ben Rice.
asserted
Grisham → hit → Rice
Instead, Yankees season ended with Grisham striking out for the third time of the night — with Rice in the on-deck circle — in a 4-3 loss to the Rays in Game 3 of the ALDS.
asserted
Grisham → end → ALDS
freeWith the Yankees fighting for survival, Grisham got the call to hit leadoff — despite being the worst leadoff hitter in the game this season.
asserted
Grisham → fight → game
He popped out in the first, struck out looking in the third, lined out to left in the fifth and whiffed looking again in the seventh, this time getting booed by the Stadium crowd.
asserted
time → pop → crowd
And in the bottom of the ninth, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. representing the tying run at second and two outs, Grisham was no match for lefty closer Bryan Baker.
asserted
Grisham → represent → Baker
The move to bat Grisham leadoff was made despite the fact that among the 16 players with at least 350 plate appearances at the top of the lineup in the majors, Grisham had the lowest batting average (.199) and OPS (.680).
asserted
Grisham → bat → average
But he also entered the game with considerable success against Wednesday’s starter for Tampa Bay, Nick Martinez.
asserted
he → enter → Bay
Heading into the game, Grisham was 4-for-6 with three doubles and two walks versus the right-hander.
asserted
Grisham → head → hander
And with Rice providing most of the Yankees offense in this series, Aaron Boone said he was looking to get people on base for his top hitter this postseason.
“
asserted
he → provide → hitter
Just trying to find somewhere we can get some on base, especially in front of [Rice], as well as he’s playing right now and maximize that as much as we can,’’ Boone said before Game 3.
asserted
Boone → try → Game
“I considered a lot of different avenues and settled on that.”
asserted
I → consider → that
Nothing — outside of Rice — worked in the first two games of the series after the Yankees finally got going in the wild-card series against the Red Sox.
asserted
Yankees → work → Sox
Grisham mostly hit leadoff a year ago in the postseason, but his offense took a huge step back during the regular season — which led to the center fielder hitting seventh in his previous three starts during these playoffs.
asserted
fielder → hit → playoffs
With his Yankees future very much in doubt after this season — when he was playing on the qualifying offer following his 34-homer year in 2025 — the Yankees were willing to end their season with the lefty-swinging Grisham getting the most plate appearances in an elimination game.
asserted
Grisham → play → game
He had been in the middle of a brutal slump when he missed most of the final month of the season with a strained right hamstring — his second of the year.
asserted
he → miss → year
But the Yankees activated him for the playoffs, taking a chance Grisham would find his timing and rhythm in time to make an impact.
asserted
Grisham → activate → impact
It didn’t happen.
asserted
It → happen → ?
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