Masahiro Tanaka Going For Fourth Consecutive Win In Opener As New York Takes On Texas

Japanese right -hander Masahiro Tanaka for New York will be on the mound in the opener of this three game series against Texas in Arlington Friday as the chase for the postseason continues. 

The Yankees and Rangers are set to begin a crucial three-game series Friday that could have American League Wild Card implications. The Yanks sit in the first Wild Card spot, and Texas is doing everything it can to earn a Wild Card spot of its own, winning its last three series. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

The Yankees enter 3 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL East, while the Rangers are 2 1/2 games back of Minnesota for the second AL Wild Card spot, and five games back of New York. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

Martin Perez starts the series opener for the Rangers looking to turn things around at home. He owns a 5.42 ERA in 16 home starts, but found some rhythm in his last start at Globe Life Park, holding the Angels to three runs over six innings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

The Yankees could pose a tough challenge for Perez, as he has struggled against them in his career, allowing 10 earned runs in two career starts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

Meanwhile, Masahiro Tanaka, who gets the ball for the Yankees, has pitched well at home but struggled on the road (5.62 ERA). However, he has pitched well in his past six starts, posting a 4-1 record and 2.08 ERA. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

Having scored six runs or more in six consecutive road games, marking the first time it has done so since June 3-16, 2005, the Yankees' offense promises to become a little more dangerous on Friday as the club welcomes catcher Gary Sanchez back from his three-game suspension. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

During the Yankees' previous series in Baltimore, Austin Romine had filled in for Sanchez, who leads all big league catchers with 28 home runs. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

"I think it's really significant to get him back," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "As I said, when we were rolling offensively, it was coming from all different places and the lineup was complete. It's really good to see." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

Tanaka has gone six or more innings in 17 of his 26 starts this season, amassing 154 2/3 innings. It's the second-highest total of his career. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

 Elvis Andrus became the third player this season to have 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He is currently two doubles and seven stolen bases away from becoming the 19th player in Major League history with a 20 home runs, 30 steals and 40 doubles in the same season. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

 Perez has recorded 126 outs on hits with an exit velocity below 95 mph since the All-Star break, according to Statcast. That's the most for any MLB pitcher over that stretch. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170906252808476/yanks-rangers-set-to-open-key-3-game-series/?game_pk=492210

As for New York last game, they beat Baltimore. 

Since right -hander Sonny Gray who previously pitched for Oakland  was traded to New York at the July 31st deadline he hasn't received any run support thus far but that was a different story in the finale as there was no need for Sonny Gray to ask for run support at Camden Yards because he got it as the long ball  was working for New York 

 The offensive philosophy that Gene Michael always encouraged the Yankees to follow involved finding players who could make pitchers work, steal an occasional base and slug home runs. When they did all three in the first inning of Thursday's 9-1 victory over the Orioles, manager Joe Girardi remarked that they'd just witnessed "a Stick special." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

Wearing black armbands on their left jersey sleeves to mourn the passing of the longtime player, scout, manager and general manager, the Yankees hit four homers -- including Aaron Judge's 39th, reclaiming a share of the American League lead -- as they supported Sonny Gray's solid effort and notched their first series victory in Baltimore since September 2013. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

I'm sure he would have liked that," said Brett Gardner, who battled back from an 0-2 count against Kevin Gausman to spark the Yankees' three-run first inning. "He obviously meant a lot to this organization, and I'm sure he'd be happy about how the game went today. We don't usually leave here winning the series, especially not recently, so it's a good feeling." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

Chase Headley, Starlin Castro, and Todd Frazier also homered as the Yankees closed within 3 1/2 games of the Red Sox in the AL East race. Baltimore trails the Twins by two games for the second AL Wild Card spot, with the Yankees holding the top spot. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

"That was for Stick," Girardi said. "He's meant so much to this organization. He's done a great job of scouting players, managing players, acquiring players and was just a sounding board for all of us. Yeah, we thought about him a lot." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

Gausman lasted just three innings, permitting five runs and five hits. In the first, Didi Gregorius doubled home Gardner before Judge launched a two-run homer to right-center field. Matt Holliday and Jacoby Ellsbury tacked on third-inning RBIs against Gausman, who was unable to complete five innings for the ninth time this season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

"I threw a lot of good pitches early on, but they kind of battled, fouled off a lot of good pitches, and I obviously left a pitch up to Judge," Gausman said. "But overall I just wasn't throwing enough strikes. I tried to go deep into the game, especially [because] this was a pretty important game for us." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

Seeking his third victory in seven starts since being acquired by the Yanks, Gray had all the support he needed, holding the O's scoreless until Adam Jones scored an unearned run on a sixth-inning Gregorius error. Gray scattered six hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out five in a 102-pitch effort as he picked up his first win in four career starts at Camden Yards. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

"It was definitely real nice to take the mound with a three-run lead, but what was really impressive and what I was real happy about was we didn't just stop," Gray said. "We kept putting the pressure on them, and that's something that you have to do, especially when you score runs early. You have to continue to put together good at-bats and put some runs across the board, which we did." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

 Gausman had been 5-2 with a 2.03 ERA in nine starts coming into Thursday's contest, but Judge again proved to be his Kryptonite. The big-swinging rookie has hit Gausman well this season, improving to 6-for-12 (.500) with three homers and a double after mashing a 420-foot drive into the seats in the first inning. The homer -- placing Judge second on the all-time rookie HR list -- was Judge's second in his last four games, an encouraging sign following his extended slump. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

"I think he's getting closer. His home runs have meant something," Girardi said. "To give us a 3-0 lead on this team in the first inning, it helped Sonny relax a little bit because their order is extremely dangerous. They run out eight guys, every night almost, that are going to hit 20 home runs in the course of a season. They're dangerous." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

Though the Yankees built a 7-0 lead through their first four turns at bat, Gray said that he believed the complexion of the game could have changed quickly had he not evaded trouble in both the fourth and fifth innings. Baltimore had two men on in each frame but Gray wriggled free, and he would have gotten out of the sixth scorelessly if not for an error. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

"That's kind of the turning point of this game," Gray said. "For me, the first couple of innings seemed to come pretty easy and they put some good at-bats together. They got some hits with two outs and a couple of walks, but just making the one pitch to the one batter in certain situations to get out of innings was big for me today. It definitely was." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

Austin Hays, rated as the O's No. 2 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, entered for defense in the top of the ninth for his Major League debut and had his first MLB at-bat in the bottom of the ninth, grounding out to short to end the game. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

"It was very surreal to be able to step into a big league box for the first time," Hays said. "That's better than I ever could have imagined." "according to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/252887196/yankees-beat-orioles-gain-on-sox-in-al-east/

With the win, New York improves to 75-64 while Baltimore drops to 71-69 on the season. New York is now 3.5 games back in second place behind Boston who is leading the American League East.

As for Texas last game, they lost to Atlanta. 

Throughout the early portion of his career,  Cole Hamels frequently helped the Phillies make a push toward the postseason with a strong start against the Braves. His bid to do the same for the Rangers on Wednesday night at SunTrust Park unraveled during a five-run second inning that proved decisive in Texas' 5-4 loss. "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

Provided the chance to help the Rangers sweep a doubleheader and move within a game of the American League's second Wild Card spot, Hamels was undone by a few of his own mistakes during the second inning, which was capped by Freddie Freeman's  two-run double. The Rangers' southpaw retired 11 of the final 13 batters he faced but allowed five runs (four earned) and six hits over six innings. "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

Putting a five-spot is definitely not the right way to go about it," Hamels said. "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

With just their third loss in the past nine games, the Rangers fell two games behind the Twins, who currently sit in the AL's second Wild Card spot. Rangers manager Jeff Banister said the team must put the loss behind them before a crucial series vs. the Yankees begins Friday. "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

"We have to continue to play good baseball by showing up, pitching well and playing all facets of the game," Banister said. "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

After being outscored, 12-8, in the first game of the twin bill the Braves turned to  Julio  Teheran who matched a career high with five walks but limited the Rangers to three earned runs over five innings. Teheran surrendered Nomar Mazara's  one-out, two-run homer in the third inning, then hit Carlos Gomez ahead of a Joey Gallo  walk. He escaped unscathed when Rougned Odor grounded into an inning-ending double play. "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

"I kind of was a little careful because I didn't want to make a mistake," Teheran said. "Five walks, it's a lot, but I didn't want to just throw the ball over the middle of the plate so they could hit it."  "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

Exactly a week after tallying eight hits during a doubleheader in Philadelphia, Braves leadoff hitter Ederar Inciarate totaled five hits in this one. He highlighted his two-hit performance in the nightcap by fueling the second-inning eruption with an RBI single. "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

It was good we got the offense early in the game," Teheran said. "It's good to have that offense so that you can relax a little bit. I knew I was facing a really good team, and they showed it. They made me throw a lot of pitches." "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

 Hamels issued a four-pitch walk to Nick Markakis begin the bottom of the second, then hit Kurt Suzuki with a two-strike curveball. Dansby Swanson followed by driving in the game's first run with a single. The Rangers' veteran pitcher fueled the eruption by fielding Teheran's bunt and sailing his throw to second into center field. Suzuki scored on the play and the Braves followed with three consecutive hits, including Freeman's double off the left-center field wall. "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

"It's definitely not finishing guys off," Hamels said. "When I get two strikes, for some odd reason, I can't locate a pitch in a better area to where I can at least get a punch out or a weak ground ball. I have just not been able to locate it." "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

 Delino Deshields opened the top of the fifth with a sinking liner that a diving Markakis caught in right field. Mazara delivered a one-out single and scored on Gomez's double off the center-field wall. With two left-handed hitters coming to the plate, Teheran then issued consecutive walks to get to the right-handed Robinson Chirinos who popped out to second baseman Ozzie Albies  "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

"It's good to see him never give in," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "I think he worked the fifth to where he had the guy he wanted up there. So, it was good for him to manage the game a bit there." "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

He just couldn't find the range with the soft stuff, and he battled through six innings with primarily the four-seam fastball and the cutter. He mixed in some changeups to get some swings and misses, but was just a bit out of rhythm with the secondary stuff." -- Banister, on Hamels' effort "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

"We capitalized on some mistakes and just stayed the course. These American League lineups, there's just never any let up in them. They keep coming at you. [The Rangers] don't put the ball on the ground very often unless it's a mis-hit or a broken bat. They're trying to hit the ball out of the ballpark most of the time." -- Snitker "according to http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

With a pinch-hit triple in the sixth inning, Will Middlebrooks became the first player in Major League history to have two pinch-hit triples in both games of a doubleheader. "according to tohttp://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/252868082/braves-hang-on-to-top-rangers-split-twin-bill/

With the loss, Texas drops to 70-69 on the season and is now 16.0 games back in the American League West of the division leading Houston Astros. 

Right -hander Masahiro Tanaka will get the start for New York. He has a record of 11-10 with a 4.54 earn run average. Tanaka is trying for his fourth consecutive win, having logged victories over the Tigers, Mariners as well as the Red Sox since returning from a stint on the disabled list. He has posted a 2.14 earn run average over that span, striking out 17 in 21 innings. He will go up against Texas right -hander Martin Perez who has a record of 11-10 with a 4.87 earn run average. Perez has struggled at home this season. He owns a 5.42 earn run average in 16 home starts, but he found some success in his last start against the Angels. He allowed three earned runs over six innings, and he hopes to have a repeat effort against the Yankees. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-rangers/2017/09/08/492210#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492210

First pitch is set for 8:05pm. The game will be televised on Yes , Major League Baseball Network and FFSW. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-rangers/2017/09/08/492210#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492210