Masahiro Tanaka Returns From The Disabled List For The Opener As New York Visits Detroit

New York is slowly getting some of their pitchers in the starting rotation back from injury first it was CC Sabathia in game two against Boston Saturday and next they will welcome back  Masahiro  Tanaka as they open up a three-game series at Comerica Park against Detroit.

Masahiro Tanaka is set to return to the mound on Tuesday as the American League Wild Card-leading Yankees open a three-game series with the Tigers at Comerica Park, with the right-hander saying that he hopes a brief time-out has restored the energy in his arm for the remainder of the postseason push. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170820249578856/tanaka-to-return-when-yanks-hit-detroit/?game_pk=491974

Tanaka was placed on the 10-day disabled list after his most recent outing on Aug. 9, reporting that he felt "fatigue throughout the arm" after he issued a career-high five walks in four innings against the Blue Jays in Toronto. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170820249578856/tanaka-to-return-when-yanks-hit-detroit/?game_pk=491974

"I feel good," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "All I can say is that I'm able to do what I just did, as far as flat grounds and bullpens, because the arm is feeling better. I feel like there have been more exercises that I've gone through this time around, so I feel like I am coming back at a faster pace." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170820249578856/tanaka-to-return-when-yanks-hit-detroit/?game_pk=491974

Detroit will hand the ball to left-hander Matt Boyd, who is returning to the rotation after making his first relief appearance of the season on Friday against the Dodgers. Boyd allowed a run and a hit with two walks and two strikeouts over 1 1/3 innings in that contest. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170820249578856/tanaka-to-return-when-yanks-hit-detroit/?game_pk=491974

The 26-year-old Boyd lost his only previous start against the Yankees, giving up four runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings in a June 2, 2016, effort at Comerica Park. The Tigers had lost 12 of 14 going into Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170820249578856/tanaka-to-return-when-yanks-hit-detroit/?game_pk=491974

It has been an up-and-down season for Tanaka, who is 3-3 with a 3.00 ERA over his last nine starts and has recorded at least eight strikeouts in six of his last 11 efforts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170820249578856/tanaka-to-return-when-yanks-hit-detroit/?game_pk=491974

 Boyd has had Todd Frazier's number over the course of their previous meetings. The veteran infielder has managed just one hit in 15 at-bats (.067) against Boyd, though that one hit was a homer on April 28 of this season, when Frazier was playing for the White Sox. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170820249578856/tanaka-to-return-when-yanks-hit-detroit/?game_pk=491974

 Despite signing a five-year, $86 million deal prior to this season, Aroldis Chapman has been bounced from his role as the Yankees' closer, with manager Joe Girardi saying that he will divide the ninth inning between Dellin Betances and David Robertson based upon matchups. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170820249578856/tanaka-to-return-when-yanks-hit-detroit/?game_pk=491974

As for New York's, last game Sonny Gray lost his first start in the rivalry in the finale at Fenway Park. 

After Sonny Gray's first win in pinstripes against the Mets in the subway series where New York gave Sonny Gray run support it was the complete opposite Sunday in the finale against Boston at Fenway Park.  

For the second-straight weekend, the Red Sox were successful in their quest of preventing the Yankees from making a dent in the American League East standings. Backed by a pair of two-out RBI hits by Jackie Bradley Jr. and a strong pitching performance from the resurgent Rick Porcello, Boston once again took two out of three from New York, opening up five-game lead in the division with a 5-1 victory on Sunday at Fenway Park. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

In less than two weeks, the rivals will meet again for their final series of the regular season, a four-game set that starts in the Bronx on Aug. 31. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

Porcello won his fourth straight start, holding the Yankees to three hits and a run over six innings. The only damaging hit against the righty was a solo homer by Brett Gardner in the fifth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

Losing pitcher Sonny Gray minimized the damage over his five-inning performance, allowing seven hits and two runs while throwing 106 pitches. It was the first time in Gray's 116 career starts that he didn't register a strikeout. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

Bradley gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead with a two-run triple, and extended the lead back to two runs with an RBI single in the sixth. It was a tight game for most of the afternoon, but Sandy Leon created breathing room for Boston by mashing a two-run double to right in the bottom of the eighth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

Porcello was able to pitch with a lead for most of his start thanks to Bradley, who smashed a key two-out, two-run triple to right-center to snap a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second. Bradley unloaded on Gray's 2-0 fastball for a gapper that had an exit velocity of 109.2 mph. It was Bradley's third triple of the season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

The only time Porcello seemed in real danger was the top of the fourth when he issued back-to-back one-out walks to Gary Sanchez and Chase Headley. Pitching coach Carl Willis came to the mound to visit, and Porcello got the job done immediately after, inducing Todd Frazier into a popup and striking out Tyler Austin. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

When it was still a close game at 3-1, Gardner tried to jump-start a rally for the Yankees with a hard grounder to lead off the eighth. But second baseman Brock Holt ranged far to his left on the grass for a diving stop and fired to first baseman Mitch Moreland, who made a nice pick himself to complete the out. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

With the loss, New York drops to 66-57 and is five games back in second place while Boston who is leading the American League East improves to 71-52 on the season.

As for Detroit's last game, they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

A day of dueling no-hit bids turned into a home run derby down the foul lines. Justin Upton's two-run homer capped a four-run sixth inning off previously perfect Kenta Maeda, earning Justin Verlander a victory for his gem in a 6-1 Tigers win over the Dodgers on Sunday at Comerica Park that snapped Los Angeles' win streak at six. "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

The Dodgers' attempt at a Major League-record 14th consecutive Interleague victory ended with drama. While Verlander took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, Maeda retired the first 15 batters he faced. Former Tiger Curtis Granderson provided the game's first hit with a solo homer off his ex-teammate with two outs in the sixth, but Dixon Machado's two-run double capped a string of three consecutive Tigers hits leading off the bottom of the inning to put Detroit ahead for good. "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

"Today, my thing was to see the ball," said Machado, who made a spot start with Jose Iglesias off. "Lately I've been striking out a little bit more than normal. I saw him pretty good today. I was thinking fastball, but he left [the slider] up a little bit and I pulled it down the line." "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

Upton added to the Tigers' outburst with a drive off the left-field foul pole, his 26th home run of the season, earning Verlander (9-8) his fourth win in his last five starts. Verlander held the dominant Dodgers offense to two hits over eight innings with a walk and nine strikeouts. The Tigers' offense capped off the win with insurance runs thanks to Miguel Cabrera's two-run double in the eighth inning. "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

"That's the best team in baseball," Verlander said, "and really this morning, I kind of told myself I'm going to take a playoff-type intensity out there, not let these guys sweep us." "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

 Granderson stepped to the plate in the sixth still looking for his first hit as a Dodger since being acquired from the Mets late Friday night. Verlander struck him out each of his first two times up, but after battling out of an 0-2 hole, Granderson reached for a 2-2 slider at the knees -- a pitch that struck him out two innings earlier -- and connected, sending a drive off the right-field foul pole for his 20th homer of the year and a 1-0 lead. "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

"Well, it's good to go ahead and try to put us in a situation, at that point, to break up the no-hitter, to give us the lead," Granderson said. "But to not get enough to help this team win tonight, I'm a little dissatisfied because you want to put yourself in a situation where we could earn the sweep here." "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

The Tigers' offense ended Maeda's perfect game in style, stringing together three straight hits to start the sixth that would turn the tide of the game for good. "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

"Everyday, you feel like he's going to do something," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said." according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

Verlander's win was his 30th in Interleague Play, tying Bartolo Colon for most among active pitchers. He improved to 30-5 with a 2.88 ERA in 42 career regular-season starts against National League opponents. "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

The Dodgers' loss is just their fourth in the last 25 games. They haven't dropped back-to-back games since July 20-21. "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

The Dodgers challenged Cabrera's advance on a wild pitch in the eighth inning, arguing Justin Turner applied the tag in time. A one-minute, eight-second review upheld the initial ruling that Cabrera was safe. "according to http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/249603992/verlander-spins-gem-as-tigers-cool-off-dodgers/

Detroit improved to 54-69 on the season and is now 14.5 games back of the American League Central leader Cleveland who has a record of 68-54. 

Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 8-10 with a 4.92 earn run average will start the opener. Tanaka is set to come off the disabled list Tuesday after a brief rest for right shoulder inflammation. He lasted just four innings in an August 9th start at Toronto, permitting three runs (two earned). Tanaka won his only career start at Comerica Park. He will go up against Detroit left-hander Matthew Boyd who has a record of 5-6 with a 5.70 earn run average. Boyd battled through two early home runs to last 5 2/3 innings against the Twins Sunday. The home run ball isn't his usual nemesis, as he'd only allowed three in his previous seven games. "according to  https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-tigers/2017/08/22/491974#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491974

How will Masahiro Tanaka do in his first game coming back from the disabled list? Will Detroit be able to get their offense going against him? Will New York be able to get their offense going unlike in the finale against Boston where it was stagnant and they only scored one run and lost the series? Will New York get back in the win column or will Detroit take the opener?

First-pitch is set for 7:10 pm. The game will be televised on Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-tigers/2017/08/22/491974#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491974