If Max Fried was supposed to need time to settle into New York, someone forgot to tell Max Fried. The Yankees’ new ace is delivering dominance. His capabilities are well known to Atlanta Braves fans, now he has more than proven himself to New York.
On Wednesday night in Cincinnati, he continued his jaw-dropping start in pinstripes with seven dazzling innings in a 7-1 victory over the Reds. Four hits, one walk, zero earned runs—and seven strikeouts to boot. It’s no longer a surprise. It’s becoming a routine.
Fried Is Pitching Himself into Yankees Lore
With every start, Fried’s not just stacking wins—he’s chiseling his name into Yankees history. After 17 starts this season, Fried owns a pristine 1.92 ERA. That puts him on a short, elite list in the “Live Ball Era” (since 1920). We’re talking company like Whitey Ford, Ron Guidry, and Spud Chandler.
Those names don’t just echo in Yankee Stadium—they haunt opposing hitters. According to @StatsCentre, Fried now holds the seventh-lowest ERA through 17 starts of any Yankee pitcher in over 100 years. That’s not just impressive—it’s historic.
Just to make sure we all appreciate the context, this is a player in his first season with the team. First year, new league, new ballparks, sky-high expectations—and he’s making it look easy.
Homecoming on the Horizon
Of course, the All-Star Game looms, and if Fried isn’t on the American League roster next month, someone’s made a clerical error. Not only is he statistically dominant (10-2, 1.92 ERA), but the mid-summer classic will be held in Atlanta—his old stomping grounds.
For eight years, Fried was a cornerstone of the Braves, collecting 73 wins, a 2021 World Series ring, and two All-Star nods before making the leap to New York in a massive offseason deal.
So yes, it’ll be a homecoming—but this time, he’ll be wearing road grays, representing the Bronx and what’s shaping up to be the most dominant season of his already decorated career.
Yankees Leading the East, Fried Leading the Charge
With the win, the Yankees sit at 46-34, good for first in the American League East. And while there are plenty of stories fueling that record, Fried is at the top of the list. He’s not just an ace—he’s the anchor. In a division where every game matters and every arm is scrutinized, Fried is bringing the kind of consistency you build October runs around.
As for the Reds? Wednesday’s loss drops them to 42-39, still very much in the hunt, but the momentum they’ve been riding just ran headfirst into a Max Fried buzzsaw.
When Fried’s on the mound, the Yankees aren’t just contenders. They’re commanding. And if the rest of the league hasn’t noticed yet, they will by the time Fried steps onto the mound in Atlanta this July—with or without the starting strokes.
