TAMPA — Max Fried and Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake have not confirmed whether Fried inadvertently tipped his pitches during Game 2 of the American League Division Series last October. Blake acknowledged to the Daily News that the Yankees had definite concerns after Fried gave up eight hits, seven earned runs, a home run, and two walks in the October 5 contest against Toronto. Fried’s struggles placed New York in an early 0-2 hole in the series, which ultimately ended in a four-game loss to the Blue Jays.
Fried Credits Blue Jays but Plans Adjustments If Given Another Chance
Despite the difficulties, Fried emphasized the quality of the Toronto offense, which went on to reach the World Series. He highlighted their focus and timely hitting but also expressed readiness to modify his approach if he had another opportunity to pitch in the ALDS, which did not materialize. Fried admitted his previous strategy had been countered effectively by the Blue Jays’ preparation.
“They’re a really good team,” Fried said.
“They were locked in. They had a really good team approach, and they were definitely swinging the bats well at a good time. So it’s just one of those things where my approach wasn’t working, and what I was trying to do was getting met with what they had planned. They had a really good series. If I had to do it again, I’d definitely change things up.”
I definitely knew that I was going to try to do something differently if I had an opportunity to throw in Game 5.
Controversy Over Pitch Tipping and Its Legality
The subject of tipping pitches, which refers to inadvertently giving hitters clues about upcoming pitches, has been widely discussed in matchups involving the Yankees and Blue Jays. Although tipping through natural means is legal, it has been a recurring concern in their recent encounters. Last season, the Yankees appeared to gain advantages from tipping, including during clashes with Toronto in both the regular season and postseason.
Offseason reports from Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith indicated that the Blue Jays discovered at least one on-field indicator from the Yankees during the ALDS, yet it remains unclear if Fried was the affected pitcher. Fried, however, stated he did not suspect tipping issues during his regular season starts against Toronto, suggesting the postseason contest was an anomaly.
Using Setbacks as Motivation for Future Seasons
Although the ALDS exit was disappointing, Fried is channeling the experience to fuel his preparation for his upcoming season with the Yankees. Speaking during a recent press conference, Fried acknowledged the lasting impact of the Game 2 performance but emphasized his efforts to move forward while letting the setback serve as motivation.
I would say on a regular basis, probably a little bit,
Fried said when asked how long that start weighed on him.
You try to move on from it. You don’t want to ruin your everyday life from it. But every time that I get in the gym or I pick up a ball or anything that has to do with baseball, it’s definitely a motivating factor.
Fried’s Strong Debut Season Amid Team Adversity
Fried’s first year with the Yankees was largely a success despite its disappointing conclusion. With Gerrit Cole sidelined due to Tommy John surgery, Fried assumed the role of New York’s top starting pitcher. He earned an All-Star selection, compiled a 19-5 record, maintained a 2.86 ERA, and pitched a career-high 195.1 innings, even while managing a mid-season blister issue. Notably, he delivered 6.1 scoreless innings in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against Boston, highlighting his value to the team.
Setting Sights on the Ultimate Goal
Fried acknowledged the importance of winning above all else, noting that success is ultimately measured by team accomplishments rather than individual achievements. While he viewed his season positively overall, the lackluster playoff start left him motivated heading into the offseason and beyond.
At the end of the day, it’s all about winning,
Fried said. “You just gotta make sure you go out there and win baseball games, and the end goal is to win a World Series. If you don’t do that, it’s not a good year.
I felt like it was a good year, but at the end, I didn’t have the start that I needed to make. So that definitely left a bad taste in my mouth and motivated me throughout the offseason.
