Michael Pineda (3-4, 2.20 ERA) and the Yanks limp towards the end of their season taking on Jake Odorizzi (10-12, 4.08 ERA) in game two at the Trop. Pineda’s last start was also against Tampa Bay. He gave up four runs and 10 hits, including two homers, in 7 1/3 inning taking a no decision.
Odorizzi lost his last time out in the Bronx allowing six runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. “Guess I’m pretty up to date on what their lineup looks like and how their hitters are approaching at-bats, so that’s one good thing,” Odorizzi said. “And going back to the other day, I had chances to get out of jams, being one pitch away or one out away in situations that obviously went the other way, escalated.” He is 5-6 with a 2.69 ERA in 16 starts at Tropicana Field this season.
Masahiro Tanaka threw 5 scoreless innings against Minor Leaguers in his rehab. He gave up six hits and recorded four strikeouts in an instructional league game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. If there is no discomfort in the next 24 hours, he could start this weekend against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. “As far as my performance goes, I think it’s gradually getting better,” Tanaka said. “It’s not really a regular-season-game atmosphere, so it’s a little bit hard for me to get myself up to there. But I do feel good.”
7:05 pm on MY9.
