Masahiro Tanaka Set For Opener As New York Looks To Stay In Contention In The American League East As They Host Toronto

Joe Girardi and New York are now trying to find a way to stay alive in their division after their finale loss to Tampa Bay Thursday.

The Blue Jays are thriving in their role as spoiler and have made the race for first place in the American League East a lot more entertaining than anyone could have expected. The next Yankees loss or Red Sox win clinches the division for Boston. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

Toronto is coming off a series victory over the Red Sox, which stopped Boston from clinching and instead made Boston's end-of-the-year matchup with Houston very meaningful. The Blue Jays will now have a similar chance to dash the hopes of the Yankees and limit them to an AL Wild Card spot. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

The Blue Jays and Yankees will meet when their final regular-season series gets underway Friday at Yankee Stadium. New York will hand the ball to Masahiro Tanaka, while the Blue Jays will counter with fellow right-hander Joe Biagini. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

"A couple of weeks ago, you look at your schedule, when you know you're out of it, you're glad you're playing teams that are in it," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "Enthusiasm is a big deal." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

Tanaka faced the Blue Jays during his last start and the outing did not go well. He allowed eight runs on six hits and three walks in an 8-1 loss at Rogers Centre. It was the second time in his past three starts that he allowed at least seven runs, and he's 2-2 with a 6.46 ERA this month. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

Biagini has been just as inconsistent for the Blue Jays as he continues to alternate between good outings and bad ones. During Biagini's outing Saturday vs. the Yankees, he allowed three runs on three hits and four walks. On Sept. 17 vs. the Twins, however, Biagini surrendered six runs (four earned) and recorded just four outs. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

Since striking out 10 and collecting 14 swinging strikes on Sept. 1 at Baltimore, Biagini has picked up just eight more Ks and 17 whiffs over four outings. His 5.9 percent swinging-strike rate since Sept. 6 is third lowest among those with at least 250 pitches thrown. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

With the division still on the line, the Blue Jays are expected to go with their A-list lineup. Core veteran players such as Josh Donaldson, Justin Smoak, and Jose Bautista will all appear in the series opener. Gibbons did leave open the possibility of sitting Bautista in Sunday's finale if the game is not a factor in the standings." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

 Left fielder Teoscar Hernandez has eight home runs this month, the most ever by a Toronto rookie in September. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256365150/blue-jays-out-to-dash-yanks-division-plans/?topicId=26688732

As for New York's last game, They lost finale to Tampa Bay,

It seems like every time New York is getting close to chasing down their rival Boston who is leading the division they can't get over the hump.

Thursday at Yankee Stadium  New York's hopes was diminished of doing so because although they took the series from Tampa Bay they couldn't sweep them.

 Wilson Ramos' go-ahead two-run homer as part of a seven-run fifth inning helped the Rays rally for a 9-6 victory Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, averting a series sweep while all but nixing the Yankees' hopes of securing the American League East title. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

Despite Aaron Judge's American League-leading 51st home run, the Yankees' elimination number in the division was reduced to one, meaning the next the next Red Sox win or Yankees loss will hand the AL East to Boston. The Yanks would then play the Twins in the AL Wild Card Game on Tuesday in New York. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

"It's frustrating because we had a chance to pick up a game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Now it's three [back] with three to go. There's still a lot of things that can happen, but it's frustrating." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

The Yankees will have an opportunity to put the loss behind them quickly because they open their final series of the season on Friday at 1:10 p.m. ET vs. the Blue Jays. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

Brett Gardner and Judge hit back-to-back homers off Tampa Bay starter Jake Faria to open the bottom of the first. Greg Bird greeted Chih-Wei Hu with a fourth-inning blast as the Yankees built an early 4-1 lead behind Sonny Gray, who held the Rays to a Corey Dickerson's career-high 26th homer through the first four innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

Gray unraveled in the fifth, uncorking a run-scoring wild pitch, and Gary Sanchez committed his Major League-leading 16th passed ball ahead of Ramos' two-run homer. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

"That was a good day today," said Ramos, who was robbed of a grand slam by Aaron Hicks in Tuesday's game. "I got a little bit scared with [center-fielder Jacoby Ellsbury] stopped and jumped. But finally, I get that one." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

The seven-run inning equaled the Rays' season-high, also done May 14 against Boston. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

"That was a pretty impressive inning on our part," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I think we batted around, so a lot of people played a huge role. I thought the bullpen came in and did a nice job. We got big hits from a lot of people." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

Gray was charged with six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, absorbing his seventh loss in 11 starts since being acquired by New York. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

Obviously, I didn't throw that many strikes," Gray said. "Anytime you walk five guys, you're fighting yourself a little bit and it all seemed to catch up with me in the fifth." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

Peter Bourjos belted a two-run triple off Jonathan Holder as part of the big frame, and Trevor Plouffe cracked a pinch-hit solo blast off Chasen Shreve in the sixth. Hu pitched an inning for his first big league victory. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

Hicks hit a pinch-hit, ninth-inning homer for the Yankees, who lost for just the second time in 13 home games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

 It was a rough night for Sanchez, who was hit in the neck by a bounced curveball and drilled behind the left shoulder while batting. The most costly sequence came in the fifth, as Gray uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Mallex Smith to score Tampa Bay's second run, with Dickerson advancing to third base on Sanchez's throwing error. With Lucas Duda batting, Sanchez was then charged with a passed ball that let Dickerson score. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

"I think he's played pretty well. There were a lot of balls he had to block tonight," Girardi said. "And there were a couple that got by him, and that's going to happen. I feel good about his defense. I feel good about the progress he has made. Will he get better as time goes on? Absolutely. But I think he's made a lot of progress." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

The Yankees threatened to strike back in the bottom of the fifth against Tommy Hunter, as Gardner worked a leadoff walk and Sanchez was hit by a pitch with one out. After a fielder's choice, Starlin Castro legged out a run-scoring infield single, but Hunter recovered to fan Bird on a foul tip. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

"That was fun. That was very exciting for our team. We never hung our heads down. Just keep your head up. Keep working. Have good at-bats. And that's how we win games." -- Ramos, on the seven-run fifth "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

Judge is just the third player in Major League history age 25 or younger to compile 125 runs scored and 125 walks in a season. Judge joined some select company: Babe Ruth did it in 1920, while Ted Williams did it in 1941 and '42. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

The Rays have allowed back-to-back homers to start the game three times this season. Joining Faria in the troika are Chris Archer (Sept. 2 at White Sox) and Alex Cobb (May 23 vs. the Angels). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/

With the loss, New York dropped to 89-70 on the season and is now 3.0 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 92-67 after their 12-2 loss to Houston Thursday. 

As for Toronto's last game, They lost to Boston the team that New York is chasing for the division title on Wednesday. 

The Red Sox alleviated some of the tension that had engulfed Fenway Park the previous two nights and moved the magic number down to two for clinching the  American League East with a 10-7 win over the Blue Jays in Wednesday's finale of a three-game series. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

This sets up a potential clinch party at Fenway on Thursday if Boston can win the opener of a four-game series against the Astros and the Yankees lose the finale of a three-game series to the Rays With four games left in the regular season, Boston leads New York by three games. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"Another step," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "Tonight is another step towards a main goal, but nothing is taken for granted." "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

The Boston bats broke out with a 13-hit performance in this one. Hanley Ramirez and Xander Bogarts both hit towering drives that soared over the everything in left to spark a five-run rally in the third. Mitch Moreland belted his 21st homer of the season down the line in right in the seventh. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

Bogaerts keyed the offense with a three-hit night that included four RBIs and an impressive dash home from first on a hit-and-run single by Dustin Pedroia "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"I'm feeling pretty good, I'm seeing the ball real well," said Bogaerts. "I was feeling good a few weeks back, and it's all the work I'm putting in right now." "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

Rick Porcello gave up three runs in the first, but Boston quickly surged back with one in the first and three in the second against Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada before taking control of the game in that bottom of the third. In his last start of the regular season, Porcello (11-17, 4.65 ERA) allowed seven hits and five runs over 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out eight. Farrell hasn't revealed his postseason rotation plans yet. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"I expect to do whatever John tells me to do. It's not my call," said Porcello. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

David Price turned in a strong performance in relief, retiring all four batters he faced and striking out three of them. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

Estrada came into this one with a 1.04 ERA in three starts against the Sox this season, but that trend changed dramatically as the righty was tagged for nine hits and eight runs (seven earned) in 2 1/3 innings. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

Josh Donaldson capped a monster series with the Jays by going 2-for-5 with two runs. Jose Bautista and Darwin Barney went deep for the 37th and 38th homers against Porcello this season. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"Nice home run by Jose and then Teoscar [Hernandez], shoot, he hit another one tonight," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said in reference to Hernandez's six homers in his last six games. "We hung in there, we scored some runs, we just couldn't stop them. They got the big home run by Bogaerts. Maybe we keep it a little bit closer and it can go the other way, but they opened it up there." "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

When Farrell went to Price with two outs and nobody on in the sixth, the lefty came out throwing heat in his third relief appearance since being activated off the disabled list. Facing, Ryan Goins Price threw five straight fastballs that ranged between 95.5 and 97.2 mph. The at-bat ended with Goins tapping a 96.1-mph heater back to the box. For Price to come on in mid-inning and throw that hard from the outset could bode well for what he can offer the Red Sox as a reliever in the postseason. Price went to his pitch mix a little more in the seventh and struck out the side. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"I think it's a great move for him," Gibbons said of Price moving to the 'pen. "I think he'll be a weapon for them out there. He looked really good tonight. He came in, inning and a third, punched out the side in the second inning. Yeah, Dave's going to help them. He's a guy you always root for. He did a lot for us and I love the guy. It's good to see that he's back out there and I think he's going to be huge for them in the playoffs "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

 It has been a disjointed season for Ramirez, who has battled injuries and consistency. But when Ramirez unloaded for his first homer since Sept. 1, he looked like he might be able to get hot heading down the stretch. According to Statcast  the mammoth solo shot that went over everything and gave the Red Sox a 5-4 lead left the bat at an exit velocity of 108.9 mph, had a launch angle of 35 degrees and traveled a projected distance of 451 feet. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"I've said it many times, we're a different team with his presence in the middle of the order," Farrell said. "There's history there. There's extra-base capability. A proven big league hitter. It's good to see him with the two base hits, two extra-base hits here tonight. That's a big boost." "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"If we're looking at the Yankees, I don't think we're focusing on our game. We've got to focus on ours. If we win, it's even much better, then we can worry about them after the game, but winning for us is the most important thing right now and we've got to continue that tomorrow." -- Bogaerts "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"Not that important at all. We're trying to win games. That's it. Trying to contribute. And I never go out there just to rack up personal stats. That's not who I am." -- Bautista, on hitting home run No. 23 and moving into second place on the club's all-time runs scored list "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

The Red Sox have come back from deficits of three runs or more in the five of their last nine wins since Sept. 15. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

The Blue Jays hit 10 home runs in this series, which is their highest total in a three-game set since hitting 11 from Aug. 28-30, 2015, vs. Detroit." according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

Hernandez's home run was his eighth since being called up on Sept. 1. That's the most hit by a Blue Jays rookie in the month. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

In the bottom of the second, Pedroia executed a hit-and-run perfectly on a 2-2 pitch and rolled a single through the vacated hole and into right field. Bogaerts reminded everyone that he is one of the fastest runners on the Red Sox when he motored all the away around from first on the single and dove in head-first after an aggressive send by third-base coach Brian Butterfield. Bogaerts was initially ruled out, but after a review of one minute and 16 seconds, the call was overturned and the Red Sox had their first lead of the night at 4-3. "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

"He makes a heck of a slide," said Farrell. "That was a tremendous send by Butter -- and it was the aggressive nature of the baserunning. It was a slow roller. If Bautista picks up that ball, it might be a different decision, but the fact that [Kevin] Pillar, we feel like he's a heck of a centre fielder, but we might be able to take advantage of some arm strength when they're moving side to side. So a great slide, good send, we catch a break there." "according to http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/256364878/red-sox-beat-blue-jays-magic-number-at-two/

With the loss, Toronto dropped to 75-84 on the season.

Right-hander Joe Biagini will start the opener for Toronto. He has a record of 3-12 with a 5.34 earn run average. Biagini's up and down season continued in his last start, The right-hander looked strong early, but he lost the zone in the middle innings and left with three runs allowed, all on a home run, over five innings with four walks. He will oppose New York right-hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 12-12 with a 4.94 earn run average. Tanaka has struggled in two of his last three outings, permitting seven earned runs to the Rangers and Blue Jays. He served up three homers in a Sept. 22 start at Rogers Centre. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2017/09/29/492498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492498

Will Masahiro Tanaka have a good start and not serve up home runs like he did in his last outing against Toronto at the Rogers Centre? Will the Toronto offense be able to get their offense going against him? Will the New York offense be able to get their offense going against Joe Biagini? Will New York be able to gain ground in the American League East? 

First pitch is set for 1:05 pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2017/09/29/492498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492498