Pedro Martinez raves about Max Fried’s killer mentality after Yankees win originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez watched Max Fried on Tuesday, he saw a pitcher who “flipped the switch and locked in.” The Red Sox legend praised the New York Yankees ace with some pretty intense words.
Martinez said the Yankees’ lefty “took the lead, smelled blood—like any true ace—and went to work.”
In New York’s 7–5 win over the Rays, Fried overcame early stumbles to put the Yankees back. After the bullpen had been burned over the past few days, Fried delivered 6⅔ innings, struck out nine, allowed just four hits and two earned runs, and worked a season-high 111 pitches to help stave off the early storm after sloppy infield defense. By the fourth inning, he had retired 14 straight batters.
Pedro’s words echo what the numbers back up.
Through 22 starts, Fried owns an 11–4 record, a 2.62 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 125 strikeouts in 134 innings, and ranks among the American League’s elite. He’s tied for third in wins and sits just outside the top 10 in ERA and WHIP.
It was a signature Fried performance.
After giving up a two-run triple in the first inning, Fried battled through to strikeout nine and anchor the reeling Yankees. Desperately missing Aaron Judge and going through bullpen fatigue, the Yankees have to battle their way back from losing the division lead and get back on track for a playoff push.
Notably, Fried’s home ERA stands at 2.24, and he’s been nearly untouchable in Yankee Stadium this year. On the road, his ERA rises slightly to 2.88, but his dominance remains clear. In league-wide terms, he sits among American League aces like Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet, edging into Cy Young conversations thanks to his consistency.
Martinez called it: “Sharp breaking balls, sharper focus … he just kept getting better.” For a team counting on internal answers in late July, that rebottle of Fried couldn’t come at a better time.
As the battle for the American League East tightens, with the Yankees pulling within four games, Fried’s leadership is exactly what the Yankees need. They’re leaning on their ace, and on Tuesday night, he put them back on track.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.