Masahiro Tanaka (2-1, 3.94 ERA) closes out the series against Anibal Sanchez (1-2, 7.71 ERA) and looks to take three of four from Detroit. Tanaka’s last time out was the best of the season thus far. He limited the Rays to two hits over seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and no walks, retiring 15 straight at one point. This will be his first time facing the Tigers.
Tanaka was coming off five days rest when he faced the Rays. He is 8-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 11 starts on five days rest compared to 4-2 with a 3.07 ERA in eight starts on four days. “I thought he put it all together his last outing,” Joe Girardi said. “He had all his pitches, so I feel good when he takes the mound.”
Sanchez gave up nine runs over just 3 1/3 innings against the White Sox and has already allowed more home runs this year (five) than he did all of last season (four). “My back leg was a little bit off, and my front leg was a little bit straight,” Sanchez said. “It’s just little things that happen during the season. The important thing is I am healthy and I think I am ready.”
Tidbits:
Alex Rodriguez (658) is two homers shy of of tying Willie Mays (660) for fourth place on the all time homer list.
The Yankees are tied for first in the league in homers (21), third in runs (83), third in RBIs (78) and eighth in OBP (.332)
1:05 pm on Yes.
