Masahiro Tanaka To Start Opener As New York Takes On Minnesota In Wild Card Rematch

Does this opponent look familiar?

New York and Minnesota should be plenty familiar with each other after all they played last season against one another in the wild card round. 

Lets talk about the four game series  that the two teams are about to play  though instead of the last time they met.

New York  who is a member of the American League East will start Japanese right -hander Masahiro Tanaka who comes into this game with a record of 2-2 with a 6.45 earn run average. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33150/masahiro-tanaka and will be making his fifth start of the season, trying to bounce back from two sub-par games. He allowed six runs in five innings April 11 in Boston and seven runs (six earned) in five innings April 17 against the Marlins."according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Minnesota right -hander Jake Odorizzi who comes into the game with a record of 1-1 with a 3.38 earn run average .

New York comes into the game against Minnesota with a record of 11-9 after their series win over Toronto Sunday. 

Years from now, if Gleyber Torres develops into the star the Yankees think he'll become, you can go ahead and tell people you remember his Major League debut. Just don't forget to mention Miguel Andujar's name. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

Sunday may have been Gleyber Day in the Bronx, the first Major League game for a 21-year-old ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 5 prospect in the game. But while Torres had a quiet debut, going 0-for-4, the 23-year-old Andujar continued an impressive week with four hits in a 5-1 Yankees win over the Blue Jays. New York finished the weekend with a four-game series victory. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

I've known Miggy for two years, and I know he can hit," said Torres, who was teammates with Andujar in the 2016 Arizona Fall League. "I'm happy he has had a good week." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

It's actually been a week-plus, an important 10 days for Andujar and maybe for the Yankees' future. He had been playing third base in place of the injured Brandon Drury, but through April 12, he was 3-for-28 with no extra-base hits. Meanwhile, the Yankees had Torres playing third base at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

In six games since, Andujar has gone 13-for-25 with seven doubles, a triple and two home runs. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Yankees shifted Torres back to second base and then called him up to play that position in the Major Leagues. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

Andujar is now the third baseman, and when you added in Torres at second and 24-year-old Luis Severino on the mound, the Yankees had a young look Sunday that suggested good things to come. Severino allowed just one run on three hits in seven innings to win for the fourth time in five starts."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

Shortstop Didi Gregorius, an elder statesman in this group at 28, also had a big day Sunday with a first-inning home run and a seventh-inning sacrifice fly."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

Gregorius said when he saw Andujar before Sunday's game, the third baseman told him, "I'm feeling good."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

"I told him, 'Show me,'" Gregorius said."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

Andujar did just that. With a runner on first and one out in the second inning, he doubled down the left-field line to set up Austin Romine's two-run double later in the inning. Andujar added an infield hit in the fourth inning, a run-scoring double in the sixth and another infield hit in the eighth."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

"To me, it's about getting an opportunity and doing your job," Andujar said through an interpreter. "I'm getting a great opportunity." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

what everyone's been talking about," Gregorius said. "We've got a lot of prospects." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

What he's showing at the plate isn't a surprise to Yankee players and coaches who have long expressed confidence in Andujar's bat."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

"Everybody knows he can hit," Severino said."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

Everybody believes Torres will hit, too, and no one will be too concerned about his hitless debut. Torres got a standing ovation when he came to the plate for his first Major League at-bat in the second inning, but he struck out against Jays starter Jaime Garcia. Torres grounded into a double play in the fourth, popped out in the sixth and flied out to right field in the eighth."according tohttps://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

It was an 0-for-4, but maybe it was also the start of something bigger. And maybe in the future, people will remember Sunday for both Torres and Andujar."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

"In Andujar and Gleyber, we have two really good players," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Severino goes seven: Boone started Severino on Opening Day, and he calls him the Yankees' ace. The skipper treated him that way Sunday, sending him back out for the seventh inning when Severino had already thrown a season-high 97 pitches. Severino made it through the seventh, finishing with 112 pitches. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

"To get us through seven was huge," Boone said. "That's what an ace looks like." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
The Yankees and the crowd thought Tyler Austin had an infield hit in the eighth inning Sunday, but first-base umpire Ted Barrett called him out. The Yankees asked for a replay review, believing shortstop Lourdes Gurriel Jr.'s throw had pulled first baseman Justin Smoak off the bag. After review, the call was allowed to stand, causing Boone to raise his arms in the air and bringing loud boos from Yankee fans who believed the replay they saw showed Smoak's foot off the bag."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

Boone later said the Yankees' replay room had some doubt the call would be overturned, because it wasn't clear where Smoak's foot was when he caught the ball. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-hot-in-yankees-series-win/c-273358924

Minnesota meanwhile who is a member of the American League Central  comes into the opener of this four game series with a record of 8-8 "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/ and unlike New York who is coming off a win Minnesota is coming off a loss Sunday at Tropicana Field against Tampa Bay. 

The Twins were swept out of Tropicana Field on Sunday afternoon, dropping a crushing 8-6 decision against the Rays on Carlos Gomez's walk-off two-run homer, completing a lost weekend for the bullpen. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

Right-hander Addison Reed, the Twins' sixth pitcher, allowed a leadoff single to C.J. Cron in the ninth, then Rob Refsnyder entered as a pinch-runner. Gomez, who had struck out three times and was 0-for-4, promptly drove Reed's first offering into the left-field bleachers."according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

I was trying to get ahead away and I couldn't have hit the middle more if I tried,'' Reed said. "He did what he was supposed to do with it. Just a stupid pitch.'' "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

In three games against the Rays, the Twins' bullpen utilized nine different relievers, allowing 20 hits in 10 innings, along with 14 earned runs for a 12.60 ERA."according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

The Twins now head to New York for a four-game series against the Yankees. With the bullpen worn down by lots of work and poor results, the Twins need a good start from right-hander Jake Odorizzi."according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

"We had to burn through some people and now I'm trying to measure how many innings I have available,'' said Twins manager Paul Molitor. "Just a tough series overall. We had trouble containing [giving up 26 runs in three games]. Gomez hasn't swung the bat great this series, but we know he's always dangerous. He put an end to the game quickly. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

"It was another one of those games where we fought our way back, but couldn't finish it. It's the nature of the game, the unpredictability of day-to-day outcomes and what might transpire. We're heading into a tough environment to play for four days. I think we have enough leadership to bounce back.'' "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

Right-hander Phil Hughes, making his first start since May 21 in a 2017 season that was shut down by treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome, lasted just 3 1/3 innings and allowed a two-run homer to Cron, the second batter he faced, following a leadoff walk to Denard Span. In all, Hughes labored through a 35-pitch first inning and the Twins were warming up reliever Trevor Hildenberger."according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

It wasn't exactly the first inning I was hoping for,'' Hughes said. "Not an ideal start. I really put a burden on the bullpen and you can't do that.'' "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

Hughes settled down with two scoreless innings and worked into the fourth. Meanwhile, the Twins forged a 2-2 tie, getting a second-inning solo homer from Eduardo Escobar and a third-inning RBI single from Eddie Rosario, then took a one-run lead on Max Kepler's run-scoring double in the sixth. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

It didn't last long. Twins reliever Taylor Rogers was touched for three straight hits, including an RBI single by Joey Wendle to tie the game, then Alan Busenitz was greeted by a three-run homer from Rays shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, making it 6-3. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

The Twins got a run back in the seventh on Miguel Sano's pinch-hit RBI single, then tied it with a two-out rally in the eighth. With Escobar aboard on a fielder's choice, Ehire Adrianza singled. The Rays summoned right-hander Sergio Romo, who allowed a walk to pinch-hitter Mitch Garver, filling the bases, then a two-run single to Brian Dozier, tying the game at 6 and setting up the finish. "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
The Twins were looking to get their offense untracked, so runs were at a premium. The seventh inning represented a lost opportunity. Sano collected a pinch-hit RBI single and cut the Rays' lead to 6-4. The tying runs were on base with one out with Rosario, the cleanup batter, at the plate. But Rosario bounced to Rays second baseman Wendle, who triggered a 4-6-3 double play. End of threat."according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

SOUND SMART
The Twins were swept despite holding a lead in all three games against the Rays in the weekend series. They entered without having a blown lead in defeat this season. It's only the third time in club history for the Twins to suffer three walk-off losses within their first 16 games (also 1969 and 1980). "according to https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

HE SAID IT
"This stuff happens. Things didn't work out the way we wanted them to. This was one of those series you've got to kind of forget about, hop on the plane and start over.'' -- Reed "according tohttps://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-rally-but-fall-short-in-loss-to-rays/c-273410796

First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN. "according to  https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-04