The Yankees changed the order. Game 3 still comes down to clean outs and traffic.

Win, or the season is over. The Yankees return to the Bronx down 2-0 to Tampa Bay with a different batting order and the same basic problem: they need to create traffic without giving away outs.

The confirmed lineup moves Trent Grisham to the leadoff spot and Ben Rice to second. Luis García Jr. bats third, Cody Bellinger fourth and George Lombard Jr. fifth. Anthony Volpe starts at second base and bats seventh. José Caballero starts at third and bats ninth. Aaron Judge remains off the ALDS roster while recovering from a right calf strain.

A new order does not erase the first two games

The changes matter, but they do not solve anything by themselves. New York managed one hit in Game 1. Rice hit two home runs in Game 2, while the rest of the lineup combined for two hits and the defense committed four errors. Moving names around only helps if the at-bats get longer and the defense stops extending innings.

Max Fried gets the season-saving assignment. MLB lists him at 5-1 with a 1.81 ERA in seven career starts against Tampa Bay. He also held Boston to one run on three hits over six innings in the Wild Card Series. The Yankees do not need Fried to win the game alone. They need him to keep the margin small enough for the offense to build something.

Fried can create time. The lineup has to use it

Nick Martinez is a difficult opponent for that plan. He went 7-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 16 road starts this season, and Tampa Bay went 22-9 in his 31 starts. MLB reports that Martinez held the Yankees to three runs over 12 innings in two starts at Yankee Stadium.

The lineup card is the visible change. The real test is simpler. Make Martinez work, catch the ball and give Fried a lead he can protect. Anything less leaves the Yankees asking one swing to rescue a season.