The Major League Baseball season is barreling toward its dramatic late-summer climax, and for two pitchers on opposite ends of the career spectrum, this past weekend delivered moments that fans won’t soon forget. In the Bronx, New York Yankees ace Max Fried continued to cement his place among the game’s elite, while in Houston, Baltimore Orioles rookie Brandon Young flirted with immortality in a dazzling near-perfect outing. Both hurlers, each facing unique pressures and expectations, showcased the unpredictable beauty of baseball when history seems just a pitch away.
Let’s start in New York, where the Yankees are locked in a fierce playoff chase and every game feels like a must-win. On August 16, 2025, all eyes were on Max Fried as he took the mound for Game 2 of a crucial three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fried, in his first year sporting pinstripes after signing an eight-year, $218 million contract, has already made a significant impact in the Bronx. Entering Saturday’s start, he boasted a 2.94 ERA, with 135 strikeouts in 144 innings across 24 starts—numbers that not only lead the Yankees’ rotation but place him among the league’s very best.
But Fried’s story this week wasn’t just about a single game. According to OptaSTATS, Fried entered his 175th career MLB start with a remarkable combination of 970 strikeouts and 118 team wins in those outings. That’s a feat achieved by only two other pitchers in the modern era: Dwight Gooden and Johan Santana. “In his 175 career MLB starts, Max Fried has thrown 970 strikeouts and his team has won 118 games,” OptaSTATS reported on August 16, 2025. The company added, “The only other pitchers in the modern era to reach both those marks through 175 career starts are Dwight Gooden and Johan Santana.” That’s some rarefied air for the Yankees’ new ace, and it’s no wonder Fried earned his third career All-Star nod this season.
Fried’s advanced metrics are equally impressive. His fastball run value sits at 14, ranking in the 95th percentile of all big-league pitchers, according to Baseball Savant. Meanwhile, his walk rate of 6.1% puts him in the 83rd percentile, a testament to his command and poise. The Yankees faithful have already embraced Fried, who’s proven himself worth every penny of his blockbuster deal. And who could forget that beautiful 77-mph curveball that’s been making the rounds on social media? Rob Friedman, known as PitchingNinja, showcased the pitch with the caption, “Max Fried, Beautiful 77mph Curveball.” It’s a pitch that’s fooled even the most seasoned hitters and continues to be a weapon in Fried’s arsenal.
As the Yankees look to secure back-to-back series wins and keep their postseason hopes alive, Fried’s consistency and leadership have been invaluable. The pressure is on in New York, but Fried seems to thrive in the spotlight, leading by example and giving his team a fighting chance every time he takes the mound. With the season winding down and the playoff race tightening, his performance in the coming weeks could be the difference-maker for the storied franchise.
While Fried was making headlines in the Bronx, another pitcher was etching his name into the hearts of baseball fans 1,600 miles away in Houston. On August 15, 2025, Baltimore Orioles rookie right-hander Brandon Young delivered the game of his life against the Houston Astros. Just days after a rough outing where he allowed six runs over three innings to the Athletics—an appearance that bumped his ERA to 6.70 through his first ten starts—Young bounced back in spectacular fashion.
The 26-year-old from Lumberton, Texas, was four outs away from throwing the first perfect game in Orioles history. The tension in Daikin Park was palpable as Young retired batter after batter, mixing his pitches with confidence and poise far beyond his years. Only Yainer Diaz’s fly ball to right-center field before the fateful at-bat had an exit velocity over 100 mph, and just three Astros hitters worked him to a three-ball count. It was, by all accounts, a masterful performance.
But baseball is a cruel game, and perfection is elusive. With two outs in the eighth inning, former Orioles teammate Ramon Urias bounced a ball to the left of the mound. Young, determined to make the play, fielded it barehanded but his off-balance throw sailed wide of first. Urias was awarded an infield single, ending the perfect game bid. “I thought I could make the play,” Young said postgame. “I got there in time. I think I had a little more time to maybe take a step and make a better throw. Obviously, rushed it, yanked it. … Definitely want it back.”
Despite the heartbreak, Young didn’t let the moment rattle him. He struck out Taylor Trammell with a 96-mph fastball to end the eighth, matching his career high with six strikeouts and, more importantly, notching his first Major League win as the Orioles cruised to a 7-0 victory. His ERA dropped to 5.68, a significant improvement and a testament to his resilience. Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman praised Young’s performance, noting, “He was throwing all of his pitches for strikes, behind in counts, ahead in counts. Was able to mix locations well. Thought he just executed his plan really well.”
For Young, the night was even more special with family in the stands. Growing up less than 100 miles from Houston and attending games at Daikin Park since he was five, the moment was a dream come true. “It’s really hard not to think about it,” Young admitted about the perfect game bid. “It’s kind of just trying to calm yourself down and think about just one pitch at a time. Kind of breathe, calm myself down a little bit, but I could tell what was happening.”
Young’s near-historic effort provides a glimmer of hope for the Orioles, a team looking to build around young talent and make noise in the coming years. His ability to bounce back from adversity and shine on a big stage bodes well for his future—and for a Baltimore franchise eager to return to contention.
As the MLB season barrels toward its conclusion, the stories of Max Fried and Brandon Young serve as reminders that baseball is a game of both milestones and moments. Whether it’s a veteran ace chasing history in New York or a rookie nearly making it in Houston, the sport never fails to deliver drama, heartbreak, and the promise of something magical just around the corner. Fans from the Bronx to Baltimore—and everywhere in between—will be watching closely as these pitchers write the next chapters of their remarkable journeys.
