Masahiro Tanaka (3-0, 2.27 ERA) will lead the charge against Jake Odorizzi (1-3, 6.85 ERA) and the Rays after a late extra inning game yesterday/this morning. Tanaka went 6 1/3 inning against the Angels his last time out coming away with a no decision in which he allowed two runs on five hits, striking out 11 with four walks. He has racked up double digit strikeouts in three of five starts, and 46 in 35 2/3 innings.
Tanaka is seeing the Rays for the first time but was asked if hes worried that the league is getting used to him. “That’s something that I don’t worry about at all,” said Tanaka through a translator. “Back in Japan there’s only five teams that I faced, so basically you’re facing the same guys over and over again. So you adjust according to how they adjust. Basically, right now, my head is not there. I’m not worried about that.” He is not comfortable being called the Yankees’ ace either, and he isn’t satisfied with how he’s pitched so far. “I’ve given up runs, particularly early in the game,” he said. “That part kind of bothers me. There are other parts as well. But that’s one thing that has bothered me.”
Joe Girardi is still learning about his new ace. He was asked what he learned about Tanaka so far and he replied, “I think, probably, the biggest thing we’ve learned about Tanaka is, he’s going to find a way to get it done. No matter what his stuff is that day or what he goes through early that day, he’s going to find a way to stick around and give you a good chance to win. That’s what I’ve seen from him so far.”
Odorizzi has allowed 18 earned runs on 28 hits in his last 17 2/3 innings. He has 22 strikeouts and 12 walks so far this season. Most of his problems have come after opponents first time through the lineup. Opponents are hitting only .171 against him the first time through and after that opponents have hit .444 the second time through and .471 the third. “It’s probably the most difficult stretch of my career, honestly. I’ve never had this kind of struggle in this many starts in a row,” Odorizzi said. “This kind of stinks being at the highest level doing it and not doing well. But I’m going to work past it. Hopefully, this next start will be a springboard to the next chapter of the season. April’s behind us, the whole team, and I couldn’t be happier for it to go. It’s just like hitting the reset button and getting past it.”
Notes on the game
Odorizzi’s only appearance against the Yankees came on September 24, 2013 at Yankee Stadium when he pitched three scoreless innings to record his first Major League save.
Vidal Nuno allowed 5 hits Friday night. He has allowed five hits or fewer in each of his six career starts
Today marks Joe Dimaggio’s Major League debut for the Yanks.  On May 3, 1936  DiMaggio made his debut for the Yankees in a 14-5 victory over the St. Louis Browns at Yankee Stadium. He went 3-6, including a triple, scoring three runs and driving in one.
First pitch at 1:05 PM on Yes
