What happened: Martinez draws the series-opening assignment for Friday, Oct. 23, six days after getting the call to start Game 4 on Oct. 16. The postseason nod caps a 2026 campaign in which the veteran pitcher earned a July selection to the American League All-Star roster.

Why it matters: Taking the mound in the Fall Classic opener positions Martinez to pitch twice in the best-of-seven series on standard rest. It marks the culmination of a breakout year for a pitcher who credited a more aggressive approach in August and topped mid-September free-agent signing rankings.

What to watch: Game 1 of the World Series gets underway Friday night, Oct. 23.