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Martinez once got booted from Yankee Stadium. Now he could help boot Yanks in Game 3

Nick Martinez is set to return to Yankee Stadium as the Tampa Bay Rays’ starter in Game 3 of the ALDS, where he’ll aim to help his team complete a sweep of the New York Yankees. The veteran pitcher has a unique connection to the Bronx, having been ejected from the stadium during his college days at Fordham University after a night of celebrating with his roommate—an incident that occurred during a rowdy Red Sox game.

Martinez, who has since become a key figure in the Rays’ rotation, posted strong numbers in his first season with the team, including a 3.10 ERA and 15 wins in 31 starts. His performance on the road was particularly notable, with a 2.38 ERA in 16 starts, and he held the Yankees to just three runs over 12 innings in two outings at Yankee Stadium this year.

Beyond his pitching, Martinez has earned praise for his leadership and clubhouse presence, with teammates like Yandy Díaz and Chandler Simpson highlighting his impact on the team’s culture and success. The Rays will look to Martinez to deliver another strong performance in a stadium where he’s experienced both the highs of competition and the chaos of its legendary atmosphere.

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