Yankees announce ALCS rotation

Masahiro Tanaka will take the ball in Game 1 of the ALCS against Zack Greinke and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, Aaron Boone announced on Friday. James Paxton will start Game 2 opposite Justin Verlander, and Luis Severino will get the nod in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium against Gerrit Cole.

For his career, Tanaka is 4-2 with a 1.54 ERA over 35 innings (six starts) in the postseason.

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Paxton is coming off his first career postseason start against the Twins in Game 1 of the ALDS in which he gave up five hits and three runs while striking out eight over 4.2 innings.

Severino should be built up to around 90-100 pitches at this point. He walked a tightrope in ALDS Game 3 at Target Field, tossing four innings of shutout ball.

With a rested and deep bullpen, the Yankees will likely follow the same recipe they used against Minnesota; five innings or so from the starter, then a barrage of relievers.