Masahiro Tanaka Gets The Start For Game 1 Of The ALCS As New York Takes On Houston
No one probably ever predicted New York would be where they are at this moment but here they're getting ready to play game one of the American League Championship Series against Houston where Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka will get the start for Joe Girardi.
Fresh off arguably the biggest start of his career, right-hander Masahiro Tanaka will start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series presented by Camping World on Friday against the Astros, the Yankees announced on Thursday. Game 1 will air at 8 p.m. ET on FS1. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
Tanaka provided a huge boost in Game 3 of the AL Division Series presented by Doosan, scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over the Indians on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Saturday's Game 2 start will go to right-hander Luis Severino, who worked seven innings of three-run ball, striking out nine, in New York's Game 4 win over Cleveland. CC Sabathia will start Game 3 on Monday when the series shifts to New York, and the veteran lefty will be followed by Sonny Gray in Game 4 on Tuesday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
"Obviously, it's the first game of the series, which is an important game, so we want to go in there and take this first game," Tanaka said through a translator. "I feel like I'm a different pitcher than from earlier in the season." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
Tanaka, in his fourth year with the Yanks, had an uneven regular season, posting a 4.74 ERA with 35 homers allowed in 30 starts, but he finished the year strong, with a 3.59 ERA over his final 10 starts, including a 15-strikeout performance against the Blue Jays in his final start before the postseason on Sept. 29. That coupled with his strong showing in the ALDS gave him the nod to start Game 1 on normal rest. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
"His stuff was great the other day, he's had some really big starts, his last two starts have been outstanding," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "And there's a lot of times that he really gets on a roll and he puts a bunch of them together, and we're going to need a good one from him tomorrow." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
Tanaka's splitter has been particularly effective recently, including against the Tribe. Of Tanaka's 92 pitches, 36 were splitters, with 26 of them going for strikes, including 12 whiffs. He also changed speeds well, as his fastball averaged 93.7 mph, his splitter averaged 91.7 mph and his slider averaged 83.8 mph. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
"I look at his velocity, the difference between his fastball and his split, and the sharpness of the split and slider," Girardi said. "Those are the two things that I look at when he's on his 'A' game." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
Tanaka, though, will have his hands full, however, as Houston scored the most runs in the Majors, and Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer have hit him well in a small sample size. The trio has combined to hit .359 with five homers and nine RBIs in 42 plate appearances against him. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
"It's a versatile and tough lineup to navigate through," Tanaka said. "The important thing for me is to just keep executing pitches. At the end of the day, that's all I can do." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
Tanaka has also struggled on the road this year, posting a 3.22 ERA in 15 starts at Yankee Stadium, but a 6.48 ERA in 15 starts away from New York. Girardi, though, downplayed those numbers, and the manager said giving him a start in Game 1 means he can start a potential Game 5 at home on Wednesday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
"I have a ton of confidence in him," Girardi said. "When you think about the way he's been pitching lately, you think about him having the possibility of making two starts in a series. So if I wait until Game 3, you don't know if you're going to get there. Then his next start would be Game 7. So one way of guaranteeing him one start at home is [Games] 1 and 5. So that's why we chose to do it, and we loved what he did his last start." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258373482/yankees-masahiro-tanaka-to-start-alcs-game-1/
As for New York's last game, They beat Cleveland to advance to the ALCS behind shortstop Didi Gregorious,
He came to New York in 2015 from the Arizona Diamondbacks expected to fill the shoes of the long time Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter who played from 1995 -2014. Didi Gregorius is doing a fine job as he helped New York advance to the American League Championship.
The Yankees believed they had the right blend of talent not only to force the American League Division Series presented by Doosan back to Progressive Field, but to win it all. Having made good on that promise by knocking off the defending AL champion Indians, New York's improbable and exhilarating run at a 28th World Series title will now run through Houston. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
Didi Gregorius homered twice, CC Sabathia rolled back the clock with nine strikeouts before turning it over to the bullpen in the fifth inning and the Yankees completed their historic comeback from a daunting deficit, advancing past the Indians with a 5-2 victory in Game 5 of the ALDS on Wednesday night. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"For me to be here with these guys is just unbelievable," Gregorius said. "This amazing, young team that we've got, everybody helps each other out here. Everybody wants each other to be good. I think that's the motto since I got here." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
The Yanks will now face the Astros in the AL Championship Series presented by Camping World. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday at Minute Maid Park. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"There's a ton of fight in this club," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's a great mixture of youth and veteran players that are leading the way, and it's hard to believe, because we just beat a really, really good team." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
Participating in their fourth elimination game in the past eight days, the Yanks never trailed in the final three ALDS games. They jumped in front early again on Wednesday thanks to Gregorius, who launched a solo home run in the first inning and a two-run shot in the third as Cleveland ace Corey Kluber was dispatched to his second early exit of the series. "according tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"You can't say enough of what Didi did," said Brett Gardner, who provided two big insurance runs with a single to end an epic 12-pitch at-bat against Cody Allen in the ninth inning. "Kluber is probably the Cy Young winner in the American League, for Didi to take him deep twice is pretty impressive." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
Winning pitcher David Robertson hurled 2 2/3 scoreless innings, and Aroldis Chapman converted a six-out save as the Yankees became the 10th team to advance after losing the first two games of a best-of-five postseason series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"We did what we were supposed to do, which is hold the lead," Robertson said. "It was tough tonight. They are a resilient team. You have to just try to not make mistakes against them." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
The Indians are the first team since the 2003 Athletics to win the first two games of a Division Series at home before being eliminated by dropping three straight. Dating back to last year's World Series, the Tribe has also lost six straight close-out games, and it is 2-8 in close-out games under manager Terry Francona. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"Everybody in this locker room has the utmost respect for Tito, including myself," Cleveland outfielder Michael Brantley said. "He puts us in position to succeed every single dahttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/y. [Losing the series] has nothing to do with him. Absolutely not. It's on us." "according to
Kluber lasted just 3 2/3 innings before Francona turned the game over to the bullpen. The AL Cy Young Award front-runner, who gave up homers to Gary Sanchez and Aaron Hicks in Game 2 on Friday, had never allowed multiple home runs in consecutive starts before this series. Kluber had also never gone fewer than four innings in back-to-back starts. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"Two pitches, really. I made two mistakes to Didi," Kluber said. "I put two balls right into his bat path, and he's a good hitter. He hit two home runs. That's really what stands out. It ended up being the difference." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
After the loss, Francona said Kluber was "fighting a lot" to be on the mound for the Tribe. Kluber, who missed time with a back injury early in the season, declined to elaborate. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"I don't think I need to get into details about it," said Kluber, who allowed nine runs in 6 1/3 innings in his two ALDS starts. "I was healthy enough to go out there and try to pitch." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
The all-time leader in starts and innings pitched at Progressive Field, Sabathia seemed to thoroughly enjoy the early stages of his trip down memory lane. The former Tribe ace grinned widely after he pounced off the mound to snare Roberto Perez's popped-up bunt in the third inning, leaving a divot in the infield turf, part of a string in which he retired the first nine Indians and 13 of the first 14. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"It feels good. This is what you play for, a chance to win the championship here in New York, and we're on our way to do that," Sabathia said. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
Inside a quiet Cleveland clubhouse after the team's incredible season came to an abrupt halt, players shook hands and shared hugs. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"You don't want it to end," Indians pitcher Josh Tomlin said. "When it finally does, it stings, especially the way it did. This is too good of a team to go home, and everybody in here knows it. That's why it's so tough for us." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
Gregorius had been just 1-for-13 in the ALDS entering Game 5, but he produced his biggest swings when it counted the most. Gregorius gave the Yankees a quick lead when he pounced on a 94.1 mph 1-2 Kluber heater for a first-inning solo shot, then put New York up, 3-0, in the third when he cracked Kluber's 86.4 mph 0-1 curveball into the right-field seats. It was the third multihomer game by a Yanks player in a winner-take-all postseason contest, joining Yogi Berra (Game 7 of the 1956 World Series) and Jason Giambi (Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"You know, anybody can be the big hero for the game, from top to bottom," Gregorius said. "That's what it shows you." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
Trailing, 3-0, the Indians peppered Sabathia with four straight hits to knock out the veteran and make it a one-run game in the fifth inning, with Perez flaring a run-scoring single to right and Giovanny Urshela picking up an RBI with a ground ball through the right side. The Yankees called upon Robertson, who needed just two pitches to induce Francisco Lindor to ground into an inning-ending double play. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"It's such a great example for our young guys," Girardi said. "He's ready to pitch any time, and he got big, big outs today. He got eight big outs. And he gets the big double play." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
The Tribe ended a Yanks rally in emphatic fashion in the seventh inning, when Gardner reached on a single to bring Aaron Judge to the plate with one out. Setup man Bryan Shaw got a strike-three call on an outside cutter, and catcher Perez quickly fired to second, where Jose Ramirez applied a tag on Gardner for an inning-ending caught stealing. According to Statcast™, Perez's pop time was 2.01 seconds and his throw clocked in at 81.9 mph. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"There's a lot of fight. We fight, and we fight, and we fight. It's incredible to watch. A lot of these guys, I've gone through the Minor Leagues with. To see them develop and turn into what they have now, it's amazing." -- Judge "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
"Very disappointing. It's a sad day for me, for the team, for the city of Cleveland and for our families. Hats off to the Yankees. They absolutely outplayed us the last three games and they deserve to win. -- Lindor "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
Judge struck out in each of his first four plate appearances, setting and extending the all-time single postseason series record with 16 ALDS strikeouts. The previous mark of 13 strikeouts had been shared by the A's Brandon Moss (2013 ALDS), the Tigers' Austin Jackson (2013 ALDS) and the Cubs' Javier Baez (2016 World Series). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
The 31 combined strikeouts in the game set a Major League record for the most in a nine-inning postseason game. The previous record had been 28, done by the Astros and Royals in Game 4 of the 2015 ALDS. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/258266190/yankees-defeat-indians-in-alds/
As for how Houston got to this point, They eliminated Boston,
The celebration on the middle of the diamond of rainy Fenway Park on Monday afternoon was partly an exercise in tension release for the Astros. "according to http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/257993804/astros-eliminate-red-sox-advance-to-alcs/
The Astros had battled the Red Sox for more than four hours of drama-filled October baseball before second baseman Jose Altuve grounderoff the bat of Dustin Peodroia and threw it to first base for the final out of a 5-4 win that locked up Game 4 of the American League Division Series presented by Doosan. "according to http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/257993804/astros-eliminate-red-sox-advance-to-alcs/
The Astros, who won the series, 3-1, danced and shouted after advancing to their first American League Championship Series presented by Camping World, beginning Friday against the Yankees, 5-2 winners Wednesday night over the Indians, while the Red Sox's season came to an end. "according to http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/257993804/astros-eliminate-red-sox-advance-to-alcs/
"It's pretty agonizing during the game, and we're pretty exhausted," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "But what an emotional day for us." "according to http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/257993804/astros-eliminate-red-sox-advance-to-alcs/
Backed by a game-tying homer byAlex Bregman off Chris Sale to lead off the eighth and a two-out RBI single later in the inning by Josh Reddick off closer Craig Kimbrel the Astros won their first postseason series since the 2005 National League Championship Series. "according to http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/257993804/astros-eliminate-red-sox-advance-to-alcs/
"Our dugout was pretty quiet for most of the game with Sale in there," Reddick said. "For [Bregman] to pick us up right there, especially late, we knew they were riding him to the ninth until they had to get to Kimbrel. For him to come up big for us -- having big at-bats at home against him helped a lot -- and we couldn't overlook the Carlos Beltran [RBI] double [in the ninth], and that ends up being the deciding factor in the game." "according to http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/257993804/astros-eliminate-red-sox-advance-to-alcs/
Andrew Benintendi gave the Red Sox hope for a Game 5 when he greeted Astros ace Justin Verlander-- who was used in relief in this one like Sale -- with a two -run homer to right to make it 3-2 Boston in the fifth. But it was Verlander's only damaging pitch, and he went on to get the win in his first career relief appearance. "according to http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/257993804/astros-eliminate-red-sox-advance-to-alcs/
Right -hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 13-12 with a 4.74 earn run average will get the start for New York. In a topsy -turvy season for the righty , The Yankees got the dominant Tanaka when they needed him in Game 3 of the ALDS. Now he will test his mix of pitches on the road , where he was markedly worse (6.48 ERA to 3.22 at home this season) He will oppose Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel who has a 2.90 earn run average. Keuchel tossed 5 2/3 innings against the Red Sox in ALDS Game 2, giving up one on three hits, walking three while striking out seven in Houston's 8-2 win at Minute Maid Park. The left-hander has a 0.96 earn run average in three postseason starts. "according to http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/257993804/astros-eliminate-red-sox-advance-to-alcs/
Will Masahiro Tanaka be able to have a good start on the road where he has struggled this season and give his team a chance to win? Will we see the dominant Masahiro Tanaka like we did in his last start? ? Will Houston's offense be able to get it going against the right -hander? Will the New York offense be able to get it going against left-hander Dallas Keuchel?
First pitch is set for 8:00pm. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/10/13/526497#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=526497