# Rays Switch ALCS Starter to Jax

> Rays pick Griffin Jax over Nick Martinez for ALCS Game 3.
- Title: Rays Switch ALCS Starter to Jax · Tampa Bay Rays On SI
- Summary: Rays pick Griffin Jax over Nick Martinez for ALCS Game 3. Tampa Bay Rays named Griffin Jax as Game 3 starter against Guardians after Nick Martinez moved to…
- Keywords: tampa bay rays, griffin jax, nick martinez, alcs game 3, cleveland guardians, seahawks, mlb, alcs, baseball, playoffs, sports, Rays
- Source: Tampa Bay Rays On SI — https://si.com/mlb/rays/onsi/rays-make-surprising-decision-with-alcs-game-3-starter-vs-guardians
- Published: 2026-10-14T15:48:32+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tampa bay rays, griffin jax, nick martinez, alcs game 3, cleveland guardians, seahawks, mlb, alcs, baseball, playoffs, sports
## Rays win Game 2
Tampa Bay Rays won Game 2 of ALCS 3-1 behind Freddy Peralta after scoring all three runs off Jose Ramirez error.
## Rays tie series 1-1
Tampa Bay tied the ALCS series at 1-1 heading to Progressive Field for three games.
## Surprising Game 3 starter
Tampa Bay will use Griffin Jax as Game 3 starter instead of Nick Martinez who will be available out of bullpen.
## Jax's recent performance
Griffin Jax fired four strong starts to finish regular season with 18 innings, one run, 15 strikeouts, three walks.
## Martinez's role
Nick Martinez was an All-Star who anchored Rays staff as strong No. 2 behind ace Drew Rasmussen.
## Game 4 plan
If Martinez doesn’t pitch in Game 3, Drew Rasmussen will start Game 4 with three days rest.
## Key takeaway

Tampa Bay Rays named Griffin Jax as Game 3 starter against Guardians after Nick Martinez moved to bullpen.