CC Sabathia To Start For New York As They Face Toronto

On Saturday when New York takes on Toronto in game two of their three game series they will look to make it two straight wins while Toronto will look to even up the series.

New York comes into the game with a record of 91-56 and is in second place in the American League East while Toronto comes into the game with a record of 65-82 and is in fourth place in the division. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/

CC Sabathia will start for New York. The veteran left-hander comes into the game with a record of 7-6 with a 3.54 earn run average. Sabathia took a no-decision last time out at Seattle, allowing two runs and five hits over five innings. He is 0-2 with a 4.87 ERA in four starts since his last victory on Aug. 12 vs. Texas. “according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Toronto right -hander Sein Reid Foley who comes into the game with a record of 1-3 with a 6.86 earn run average. “according to http://m.mlb.com/player/656887/sean-reid-foley The fifth start of Reid-Foley's career will be his fourth on the road and second at Yankee Stadium. The rookie right-hander had his shortest outing against the Yankees on Aug. 18, allowing eight runs (six earned) on seven hits and three walks.”according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

As for the opener between New York and Toronto. New York crushed Toronto.

As the Yankees continue to evaluate their choices to take the ball in a win-or-winter American League Wild Card Game, five early runs were deposited into Masahiro Tanaka's back pocket on Friday evening, creating a near-lock for victory. It also strengthened a case that will be difficult for the decision-makers to ignore. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

The crooked first-inning numbers were welcome as Tanaka received more support than necessary, blanking the Blue Jays over six innings in the Yankees' 11-0 rout at Yankee Stadium. Tanaka has won each of his last three efforts while firing 20 consecutive scoreless innings, giving the Bombers what they'd need with everything on the line. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

"I think any one of us could pitch in that game," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "For me, the important thing right now is to focus on this game and the next game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

The Yankees' lead over the Athletics for the first AL Wild Card remained at 1 1/2 games with the victory, opening the club's final regular-season homestand with some thunder. Andrew McCutchen homered as part of a 3-for-3 performance and Didi Gregorius also hit a late homer. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

Even Aaron Judge got into the mix, coming off the disabled list and playing two innings in right field. The slugger received a standing ovation from the crowd of 40,138 as he jogged out for his first game action since sustaining a fractured right wrist on July 26. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

Pretty crazy. We've got the best fans in the world," Judge said. "It's great to hear their support. I think they were just cheering for that ballgame, that's what I thought. That performance by Tanaka was amazing." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

Coming off a difficult three-city swing that included two losses to the non-contending Twins, the Yankees wasted no time jumping on Toronto right-hander Marco Estrada in the first. Luke Voit slugged a two-run double, capping the damage in an inning that also credited RBIs to Aaron Hicks, Gregorius and Gleyber Torres. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

Continuing to keep the ball on the ground regularly, Tanaka permitted six hits, walking two and striking out eight. Tanaka permitted 18 homers in his first 83 1/3 innings this year but has served up only five homers in his last 64 2/3 frames through Friday. He owns a 2.09 ERA in 10 starts since the All-Star break. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

"It just comes down to the quality of the pitches, having good movement on most of my pitches," Tanaka said. "I think it's helping me get some more ground balls." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

Boone has not tipped his hand for a favorite between the likely candidates of Tanaka, Luis Severino and J.A. Happ to make that start, saying that every start from here on will be baked into the pie when the decision is ultimately made. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

"These things matter. What they've done has mattered," Boone said. "How they're pitching in the final two weeks certainly matters. We also take into account who we're playing, where we're playing, all those things. You hope to have a number of people to pick from that are pitching well down the stretch." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

Estrada lost for the first time in eight career starts at Yankee Stadium, charged with eight runs in 2 2/3 innings. Brett Gardner knocked home Gregorius with a single that chased the hurler, and after a walk, Giancarlo Stanton ripped a two-run single. Stanton entered the game in a 7-for-61 (.115) slide over his last 16 games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

Luis Cessa worked the final three innings without incident for his second career save, polishing off the Yankees' largest shutout victory since a 15-0 win over the Mets on June 14, 2009. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

SOUND SMART
Tanaka has recorded 12 victories in each of his first five Major League seasons. Since 1950, only four other pitchers have accomplished that feat: Dennis Eckersley (1975-79), Dwight Gooden (1984-88), Andy Pettitte (1995-99) and Tom Seaver (1967-71). “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/masahiro-tanaka-and-yankees-offense-sizzle/c-294600648

First pitch is set for 4:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-09