Rays’ Nick Martinez Credits Aggressive Approach For Exceptional Season

BusinessSportsMoneyRays’ Nick Martinez Credits Aggressive Approach For Exceptional SeasonByTom Layberger,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about college football and sports in the Tampa Bay region.Follow AuthorMay 31, 2026, 10:05pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - Nick Martinez of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Tropicana Field on May 29, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)Getty ImagesHow consistent has Nick Martinez been for the Tampa Bay Rays this season? How about allowing two or fewer runs in each of his 11 starts through the end of May?“If he’s not the best pitcher this season, he’s definitely top three,” said teammate Yandy Diaz, who blasted a pair of homers against the Angels on Friday evening in support of Martinez’s latest victory. “He’s been great for us the entire year.”How great? Martinez is 5-1 with a 1.62 ERA. The win at Tropicana Field against the Angels completed a month in which he went 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA in five starts. As sparkling as those numbers are, what might be most impressive was that he issued all of three free passes in 29 2/3 innings. Martinez has been dictating terms with a six-pitch mix that includes a four-seam fastball and sinker with an average velocity between 92 and 93. While that would break a plane of glass, it is not going to break the radar gun. Frankly, who cares.“We see a lot of pitchers in today’s game that are blowing high velocity,” said manager Kevin Cash. “Nick gets there a little bit by pitching a little bit more.”Cash added the opposition has its scouting reports and knows, for the most part, what it will be up against: a sinker and a changeup that Martinez utilizes close to an equal basis, 30 percent versus 29 percent. Not that those reports have mattered. “T...