Fried anchors the Yankees rotation after Cole’s injury, but blister issues and a recent run of four-plus runs allowed in six straight starts raise concern about his late-season reliability and fantasy upside. A tough assignment vs St. Louis spotlighted control problems, yet he remains a linchpin for a team fighting to stay in the wild-card race.

Max Fried is listed as the Yankees’ starting pitcher in the matchup, delivering a 2.94 ERA that the article frames as a favorable relic against Gray. Fried’s experience and control are highlighted as a stabilizing factor for New York if he can limit the Cardinals’ bats and guide the bullpen toward clean innings.

Fried ranks among the top four in innings (144) with a 2.94 ERA and WHIP around 1.07. His 8.4 K/9 places him below the top tier in strikeouts, and recent form has cooled since July 1. Fried’s durability keeps him in the Cy Young conversation, but the scoring punch needs to stay efficient.

Fried’s five innings against Houston highlight a Yankee rotation with high upside but inconsistency. The Yankees were limited by his five-inning outing, giving Houston a pathway to the win. Fantasy players should monitor Fried’s ability to mix pitches and sustain strikeouts, particularly in pitcher-friendly settings.

Max Fried started the game effectively, but struggled in the second inning, leading to a disappointing outing. He expressed the need for results and accountability in the team’s performance. His inconsistency raises concerns for fantasy managers relying on him for quality starts.