Masahiro Tanaka Going For 3rd Defeat This Season Of Toronto As New York Is Looking To Bounce Back From Their Loss In The Opener

It's not very often you try to defeat a team for the third time in one season but that will be the case for Japanese New York right -hander Masahiro Tanaka when he takes the mound in game two of the three game series at the Rogers Centre Wednesday against Toronto. 

Masahiro Tanaka has picked up a victory against the Blue Jays twice already this season. On Wednesday night at Rogers Centre, he'll be going for lucky No. 3. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

Tanaka is a perfect 2-0 vs. Toronto in 2017 after allowing five runs over his first 13 1/3 innings. He'll be taking the mound on six days' rest as the Blue Jays counter with right-hander Nick Tepesch. Toronto looks to secure the three-game series after winning the opener. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

Including the current matchup, the Blue Jays and Yankees have three series remaining against each other before the end of the season. New York will look to use these games on the road to make a run at first place in the American League East while simultaneously seeking one of the two Wild Card spots. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

"Earlier in the season, I don't think they were getting enough credit for what they had on the field, and then they played good ball," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "Any time they're in it, they're not going to sit still, they never do. It's kind of like they're almost forced to sometimes." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

Right-hander Cesar Valdez initially was scheduled to start for the Blue Jays, but he was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday afternoon with a right shoulder impingement. The outing instead will go to Tepesch, who was purchased from the Twins in late July. Tepesch, who will be making his Blue Jays debut, has since made three appearances for Triple-A Buffalo with four earned runs over 12 innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

Toronto holds an 18-27 record against the AL East, which is the main reason the Blue Jays are six games under .500. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

"It's always been a slug-it-out division," Gibbons said. "We haven't played our best ball against those guys. We need to now, but it goes back to, we know these guys, they know us. It's whoever executes. But we've had a tough time in the East this year, no doubt, and that's contributed to where we're at. That's a big part of it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

Jose Bautista leads the Blue Jays in career home runs and RBIs against the Yankees. His 34 homers vs. New York are the second-most among active players, with only Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria higher on the list, with 35. Bautista's 31 homers against the Yankees since 2010 is four more than any other player." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

The Yankees have hit home runs in 16 of their last 18 games. Overall, New York has hit 159 homers this season, which is an average of 1.45 per game. Only four Yankees clubs have finished with a higher average: 2012 (1.51), 2009 (1.51), 2004 (1.49) and 1961 (1.47). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

Tanaka notched 23 swinging strikes in his most recent outing, tied for the second-highest mark of his career. His 19.1-percent swinging-strike rate over his past 10 starts is the highest among all pitchers with at least 500 total pitches during that span. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247177306/tanaka-eyes-3rd-win-vs-jays-tepesch-steps-in/?topicId=26688836

As for the opener when New York opened up a three -game series with Toronto Tuesday nothing seemed to go right starting with New York veteran left -hander CC Sabathia having to leave his start sooner than expected. 

It's never good when you lose your starting pitcher and the game on the same night but that was the case Tuesday for New York as they lost 37 -year old veteran left -hander CC Sabathia as well as the opener to Toronto at Rogers Centre. 

 Josh Donaldson continued his recent hot streak with a pair of two-run homers, and J.A. Happ pitched well into the sixth inning as the Blue Jays defeated the Yankees, 4-2, in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday evening at Rogers Centre. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

Donaldson notched the 12th multi-homer game of his career by launching his 14th and 15th long balls of the year in his first two at-bats against veteran CC Sabathia, who lasted just three innings before leaving due to right knee discomfort. Sabathia will be examined in New York on Wednesday and could miss his next start. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

Thanks in large part to Donaldson, the Yankees now sit four games behind the first-place Red Sox in the American League East chase. The former MVP has been swinging the bat well of late, belting six home runs and compiling a .297 average with 11 RBIs over his last 10 games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

"Honestly, it's not missing pitches that I'm getting to hit," Donaldson said. "I felt like over the last month or so, mistakes that I'm getting during at-bats aren't happening as much, so I have capitalized on pitches that are mistakes when I do get the opportunity. In the last week to 10 days I feel like I've been able to do that for the most part." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

Happ limited New York to Garrett Cooper's second-inning RBI single over 5 2/3 frames, permitting four hits while walking four and striking out five. Happ improved to 6-0 with a 2.23 ERA in his last 10 starts against the Yankees, who were limited to two runs or fewer for the fifth time in their last six games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

"We just never got the hits when we needed them tonight, and that was the difference," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

Bryan Mitchell saved the Yankees' bullpen with four-plus scoreless innings of relief, while Roberto Osuna capped the Blue Jays' own strong relief effort with his 29th save. Toronto has won eight of its last 12 home games but is just 12-12 since the All-Star break. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

Donaldson's second homer was an 111.4-mph rocket that sizzled into the second deck in left field, marking his hardest-hit homer since last April, and his hardest-hit extra-base hit of 2017, as projected by Statcast™. It also spelled an early exit for Sabathia, who could not slip a 79.1-mph slider past the slugger, two innings after Donaldson pounced on an 81.6-mph changeup for his first homer of the evening." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

I know I definitely have the capability to have games like this," Donaldson said. "The fact of the matter is you have to go out there and do it. Tonight was nice, but the great thing about baseball is that you have to come back here and do it tomorrow." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

A pair of one-out walks placed Happ in trouble in the sixth inning, and after the lefty got Didi Gregorius to fly out, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons opted to call upon right-hander Dominic Leone. Todd Frazier greeted the 25-year-old by legging out a replay-reviewed infield single to shortstop, with the on-field call overturned to load the bases, but Leone recovered to get Cooper to fly out to right field. Danny Barnes, Ryan Tepera, and Osuna then closed out the final three innings, allowing just one run. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

"When you've got your closer, your setup guy, when they get into the game you sit back and watch, man," Gibbons said. "That's their job. They're not going to be perfect. You can't be perfect in this game. No doubt, Osuna has been in a little bit of a rut, so that was a big one for him." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

When Happ struck out Clint Frazier in the first inning, it marked his 500th strikeout in a Blue Jays uniform. Happ is the 19th pitcher in franchise history to reach that plateau." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

Girardi won his challenge in the top of the eighth inning. With a runner on and nobody out, Chase Headley was batting with a 2-2 count. Tepera threw a slider low and inside that was called ball three by home-plate umpire Chris Conroy. Headley claimed the ball hit his back foot; upon review, the call on the field was overturned and Headley was awarded first base. New York went on to load the bases but had to settle for one run on a Cooper sacrifice fly." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/247176664/josh-donaldson-hits-2-homers-in-blue-jays-win/

With the loss, New York drops to 59-52 on the season and now is 4.0 games back of their American League East rival Boston who is leading the division with a record of 64-49. Toronto meanwhile improved to 53-59 and is 10.5 games back of the division leader Boston.

New York and Toronto will play game two of their three game series Wednesday when right -hander Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound for Joe Girardi's club. 

Masahiro Tanaka has a record of 8-10 with a 4.93 earn run average. Tanaka followed up a career -high 14 strikeout effort with another sharp outing last time out, holding the Tigers to two runs (one earned) and six hits over six innings but taking the loss. He's won both starts against Toronto this season.  He will go up against Toronto right -hander Nick Tepesch. He has a record of 0-1 with an earn run average of 5.40. Tepesch will make his first start for the Blue Jays after he was purchased from the Twins late last month. A spot in the rotation became available when Cesar Valdez was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Tepesch allowed 4 ER over 12 IP at Triple -A Buffalo "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-blue-jays/2017/08/09/491800#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491800

Will Masahiro Tanaka be able to pitch a great game and get his third win of the season against Toronto? Will the Toronto offense be able to get their offense going against the  Japanese right -hander? Will New York be able to their offense going against newly acquired pitcher Nick Tepesch who was purchased from Minnesota in July and who is making his first start for Toronto? 

First pitch is set for 7:07 pm. The game will be televised on Yes.