New York To Start CC Sabathia Against Toronto With The American League East Up For Grabs

It's amazing how quickly things can change in an instant instead of Jaime Garcia starting today's game against Toronto instead, it will be 37 year -old left-hander CC Sabathia.

The Yankees are taking their best crack at catching the Red Sox to force a one-game tiebreaker for the American League East title, substituting CC Sabathia in place of Jaime Garcia to start Saturday's game against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.

New York opened the day two games behind the Red Sox, thanks to Boston's 3-2 loss to the Astros on Friday. The Yanks have two games remaining with Toronto, while the Red Sox have two games remaining against Houston.

Should the teams finish tied, the division would be settled in a one-game tiebreaker on Monday, to be played at Yankee Stadium by virtue of the Yanks' 11-8 record head-to-head with the Red Sox this year.

"We had prepared CC. We told him, basically, 'If Boston loses, you're going to pitch today," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's his normal day. He has been prepared for that. He threw his bullpen on a normal day. You just never know what's going to happen, so here we go."

Sabathia is 13-5 with a 3.84 ERA in 26 starts this year.

Girardi confirmed that rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery will pitch Sunday's regular-season finale against Toronto. The Yankees have been lining up right-hander Luis Severino to pitch in a potential AL Wild Card Game on Tuesday, and Sabathia had been envisioned as a reliever in that contest.

"I think the way you look at it is, you have two chances to play in the ALDS on Thursday," Girardi said. "That's what is in my mind. We've been kind of going day by day here to see where we're at. We'll continue to do that. Whatever happens, we'll be prepared for it."

Garcia was not told about the switch until Saturday morning, as Girardi wanted the left-hander to continue to prepare as though he would start.

Garcia instead will be available in relief on Saturday, and he could pitch out of the bullpen in a potential one-game tiebreaker or the AL Wild Card Game. Acquired by the Yankees from the Twins on July 30, Garcia has gone 0-3 with a 4.82 ERA in eight starts for New York.

"I'm down to do anything, man," Garcia said. "At this point in my career, I'm here to help the team. I'm going to do everything in my control to help them whenever my name is called."

Should the Yanks and Red Sox face off on Monday, it would mark the first time that the AL East was decided in such a fashion since Oct. 2, 1978, the date of Bucky Dent's famed homer at Fenway Park.

As for New York and Toronto's last game, New York won the opener behind a stellar outing from Masahiro Tanaka.

Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka hasn't pitched as great on the road this season as he prefers the confines of Yankee Stadium.

Friday he continued his success on the mound in the Bronx in the opener of the three-game series against Toronto as he shutout the Blue Jays.

Expertly commanding a lethal splitter that vanished from the strike zone all afternoon, Masahiro Tanaka recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts in a brilliant seven-inning performance that led the Yankees to their 90th win of the season, a 4-0 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

With the victory, the Yankees maintained some hope of overtaking the Red Sox in the American League East race, moving to within 2 games of first place. The Yankees need to win their final two games while the Red Sox lose their final two games to force a tiebreaker game Monday in New York. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

"We're trying to prepare and we don't know exactly what we're preparing for," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who indicated Luis Severino could pitch a potential Game 163. "We came into this week five games back with seven to go. We're still alive to win the division." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

Tanaka retired the first 14 men he faced before Ezequiel Carrera's infield single in the fifth inning, one of just three hits Tanaka permitted as he tuned up for a potential outing in the postseason. Tanaka has picked up victories in five of his last seven starts, completing the year 13-12 with a 4.74 ERA and 194 strikeouts in 30 games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

"It's pretty obvious that there were a lot of ups and downs this season," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I really want to take this year as sort of a learning process. Hopefully in the future when I look back, I can look back at this year as a year that [had] a lot of struggles, but I was able to learn a lot from it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

The 15 strikeouts tied the Nationals' Stephen Strasburg (May 27 vs. San Diego) for the most in any Major League game this season, and tied Yu Darvish's big league mark -- set in 2013 -- for the most strikeouts in a single game by a Japanese pitcher. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

"He's always tough on us," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He was as good as you can be today. He was sticking that fastball good and then you can't pick up that split. It comes in at the same height and then, boom, just drops. He was really good." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

Aroldis Chapman recorded three outs in the ninth for his 21st save. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

Greg Bird continued to swing a hot bat, belting an extra-base hit for the seventh consecutive game while driving in a pair of runs. Starlin Castro and Aaron Judge also contributed RBIs as Toronto starter Joe Biagini accepted the loss, having allowed three runs and six hits over five innings. Biagini wrapped the year 3-13 with a 5.34 ERA in 44 games (18 starts). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

Castro made a pair of excellent defensive efforts early in the game, helping Tanaka cruise. The second baseman smothered a Michael Saunders grounder in the second inning and whipped the throw to first base, helping begin Tanaka's string of 14 straight Blue Jays retired. Castro also had his hands on Carrera's grounder up the middle in the fifth inning, but Carrera legged out an infield single to spoil the budding perfect-game bid. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

"Going into the game, I knew that I needed to be aggressive," Tanaka said. "I had that plan and went into the game and it turned out the way it did." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

Bird was the Yankees' most impressive hitter this spring before injuries derailed his season, but the sweet-swinging lefty appears to be rounding back into form just in time for the most meaningful games of the year. Bird cracked a first-inning sacrifice fly and rapped a fourth-inning double against Biagini before pelting the right-field wall with a well-struck RBI single in the sixth inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

He is the fourth Yankee ever to collect at least one extra-base hit and one RBI in seven straight games, joining Don Mattingly (1987), Babe Ruth (1920) and Alex Rodriguez (2007). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

"I always enjoy playing. I always do," Bird said. "It's great being back and settling in and being comfortable. Just being part of this team, because it's such a fun team to be on. We've got a great group. You can see it watching, I'm sure. Just being part of it is great." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

"I wasn't really listening, so I can't remember what he said. … No, he just wanted me to pick up the tempo a little bit."
-- Biagini, jokingly replying to being asked what Gibbons said to him during a rare first-inning visit to the mound. Toronto's righty allowed two runs in the first, but then only one more over the next four innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

The 18 strikeouts matched the Blue Jays' all-time single-game franchise record for a nine-inning game. Toronto struck out 18 times vs. Tampa Bay on Aug. 28, 2011, and July 26, 1989, at Texas. They also tied a Yankees franchise record, done four times, last on May 10, 2015, vs. Baltimore. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

Aaron Judge has hit in a career-high 12 straight games and reached base in 24 straight, but the Yankees endured a scare in the third inning when Judge appeared to grimace after stepping awkwardly on the first base bag following a groundout to shortstop. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

"We had some concern. He's fine," Girardi said. "It ended up being nothing." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

With the win, New York improves to 90-70 on the season and is now 2.0 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 92-68 after their loss to Houston Friday by a score of 3-2.

Jaime Garcia will try to make his case for a spot in the Yankees' postseason bullpen when he takes the mound on Saturday afternoon against Marcus Stroman and the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. The Yanks took Friday's opener, 4-0, to remain in contention for the American League East title, which the Red Sox were unable to clinch when they lost to Houston on Friday night. Boston's division lead is now two games, and if the two teams to tie for the division, a tiebreaker game would be held at Yankee Stadium on Monday. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170929256689480/garcia-aims-to-show-playoff-caliber-stuff-vs-jays/?game_pk=492513

Garcia faced Toronto during his last outing, but could not make it out of the third inning. He allowed five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four and retiring just seven batters. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170929256689480/garcia-aims-to-show-playoff-caliber-stuff-vs-jays/?game_pk=492513

The 31-year-old left-hander has yet to complete six innings since joining the Yankees, but if he cracks the postseason roster it won't be as a starter so the lack of length is not a major concern. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170929256689480/garcia-aims-to-show-playoff-caliber-stuff-vs-jays/?game_pk=492513

"I just couldn't get a good rhythm going," Garcia said after his last start. "I couldn't execute the strike zone like I usually do and want to. It was just one of those days. I haven't had one of those in a while. You've just got to turn the page." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170929256689480/garcia-aims-to-show-playoff-caliber-stuff-vs-jays/?game_pk=492513

Toronto has long since been eliminated from the postseason, but this start will still hold a lot of significance for Stroman. The Blue Jays' top pitcher this season is three innings shy of reaching 200 for the second consecutive year and he also has an outside shot of finishing the year with an ERA under 3.00. Stroman has a 3.06 ERA in 32 starts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170929256689480/garcia-aims-to-show-playoff-caliber-stuff-vs-jays/?game_pk=492513

"That's a huge goal of mine. That's something I pride myself on," Stroman recently said. "Getting to 200 [innings] is something that I really want to do. ... I think that's part of being an ace. Going out there and giving your team 200-plus innings every year. It's getting harder and harder to do with all of the analytics and statistics these days. I'm trying to do everything I can to get there." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170929256689480/garcia-aims-to-show-playoff-caliber-stuff-vs-jays/?game_pk=492513

First baseman Justin Smoak is expected to return to the Blue Jays' lineup on Saturday afternoon. Smoak, who received a rare day off on Friday afternoon, has two games remaining to reach 40 homers for the first time in his career. Smoak has been stuck on 38 since Sept. 14. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170929256689480/garcia-aims-to-show-playoff-caliber-stuff-vs-jays/?game_pk=492513

Greg Bird has been heating up lately and has at least one extra-base hit in each of his last seven games. Bird extended the streak with a double off Joe Biagini during the fourth inning of Friday's game vs. the Blue Jays. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170929256689480/garcia-aims-to-show-playoff-caliber-stuff-vs-jays/?game_pk=492513

As for New York and Toronto's last game, New York won the opener,

Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka hasn't pitched as great on the road this season as he prefers the confines of Yankee Stadium.

Friday he continued his success on the mound in the Bronx in the opener of the three-game series against Toronto as he shutout the Blue Jays.

"He's always tough on us," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He was as good as you can be today. He was sticking that fastball well and then you can't pick up that split. It comes in at the same height and then, boom, just drops. He was really good." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

Aroldis Chapman recorded three outs in the ninth for his 21st save. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

"We had some concern. He's fine," Girardi said. "It ended up being nothing." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256712580/tanakas-15-k-gem-keeps-yanks-in-east-race/

New York and Toronto will play game two of their three-game series this afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Right-hander Marcus Stroman will get the start for Toronto. He has a record of 13-8 with a 3.06 earn run average. Stroman is chasing the 300- inning plateau and needs just three innings to get there. He's also seven innings shy of his career high 204, set in 2016. He allowed three runs and four walks over 5 2/3 his last time out against the Yankees. Jaime Garcia was originally slated for the start, but with a chance remaining to catch the Redsox in the division race, the Yankees have opted to use Sabathia. He has a record of 13-5 with a 3.84 earn run average. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2017/09/30/492513#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492513

First pitch is set for 1:05 pm. The game will be televised on Fox. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2017/09/30/492513#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492513

MLBAbigail BaggettSeptember 30, 2017Toronto Blue Jays, New York YankeesComment

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New York To Start CC Sabathia Against Toronto With The American League East Up For Grabs