Masahiro Tanaka (0-0, 3.18 ERA) gets the ball to open up the series with the Blue Jays after his Sunday start was pushed back. He will take on Aaron Sanchez (0-0, 1.29 ERA) to kick off this season’s battle for the AL East. Tanaka was held to just 87 pitches on Opening Day as the Yanks didn’t want to overextend that partially torn ligament. He pitched 5.2 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk before he started to feel fatigued. The cold weather could have attributed the the fatigue, but weather won’t be a factor in the dome. Rogers Centre has been kind to Tanaka, he is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA there including a complete game win last August.
Sanchez was impressive in his first start of the year against the Rays. He struck out a career high 8 batters through 7 innings of 1 run ball. He left with the no decision and Toronto eventually lost the game. The 23 year old made the Jays’ rotation after an impressive spring, beating out veteran Gavin Floyd. Toronto manager John Gibbons has stated he will be on an innings limit and could still be moved back to the pen.
Tidbits:
Tanaka is 5-2 with a 2.23 ERA in his career against Toronto.
The Blue Jays took 13 of 19 games last season.
Alex Rodriguez has hit 58 home runs against the Blue Jays in his career, third most against any opponent. He also has 99 career RBIs at Rogers Centre.
7:05 pm on Yes.
