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BASEBALL

Masahiro Tanaka To Start The Finale As New York Takes On Chicago

On Sunday Masahiro Tanaka will get the start for New York in the finale against the Chicago White Sox where New York will look to win the series while Chicago meanwhile will not only look to bounce back from Saturday’s loss but they will also look to win the series.

New York who is a member of the American League East comes into the game with a record of 6-8 while Chicago who is a member of the American League Central comes into the game with a record of 4-9.

As stated above, Masahiro Tanaka will start for New York.

The Japanese right -hander comes into the game with a record of 1-0 with a 1.47 earn run average. Tanaka is off to a flying start with a 1.47 ERA and a 15-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first three outings. The righty is 4-1 with a 2.75 ERA in six career starts against the White Sox. He will oppose Chicago left-hander Carlos Rodon who comes into the game with a record of 1-2 with a 3.38 earn run average. Rodon will be looking to work in his changeup a bit more against the Yankees, after featuring 54 sliders and 52 fastballs in his last start against the Rays. Rodon has a 2-0 record with a 2.77 ERA lifetime at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for New York and Chicago’s previous game,

New York won as CC Sabathia returned to the mound.

CC Sabathia enjoyed a terrific return to the mound following an offseason health scare, opening his 19th and final Major League season with five scoreless innings of one-hit ball in the Yankees' 4-0 victory over the White Sox on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

122 days after a stent was inserted to clear a blocked artery leading to the veteran left-hander's heart, Sabathia once again served as the team's trusted stopper, striking out three without a walk in a stellar 62-pitch effort that helped to snap the Yankees' four-game skid. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

"I was out there the first inning and shaking, but it felt good to be back out there and be with the guys, and it feels good to get a win today," Sabathia said. "Being back out there, thinking where I came from in December and actually being back on the mound, it was cool. I was able to kind of harness those nerves and go out and be smooth." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

With the outing, Sabathia became the first pitcher in Major League history to throw at least five scoreless innings with one hit or fewer and no walks in consecutive starts, having also done so last Sept. 27 against the Rays at Tropicana Field. He is also 11 strikeouts shy of becoming the 17th man to register 3,000 career whiffs.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

"He's the leader of this team," said Aaron Judge, whose eighth-inning homer capped the scoring. "When you're missing your leader like that for a while, it's tough. Having him back in here, his presence, his laugh -- everything about him. All around, he's one of the best teammates I've ever had, and he's such a competitor when he's on the mound." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

After Ivan Nova held his former team scoreless through six innings, the Yankees broke through against Nova, Jace Fry and Ryan Burr in the seventh, capitalizing on an error by second baseman Yolmer Sanchez.

Luke Voit came off the bench to deliver a bases-loaded RBI single, busting his bat on a line drive that found a grassy patch of center field. Kyle Higashioka lifted a sac fly toward the wall in right field, and Tyler Wade followed orders from the bench, executing a safety squeeze. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

"Those are the times you've got to capitalize, especially at a time when it's tough for us," manager Aaron Boone said. "We're kind of grinding through this pitching performance and catch a break. The guys go and take advantage of it and really execute at a high level, getting us a lead in what had obviously been a really well-played game on both sides." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

Though Sabathia lobbied to pitch past the fifth, Boone said he would have felt comfortable extending him only another 8-10 pitches. The victory was credited to Domingo Germán, who fired two scoreless, hitless innings in relief. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman finished the one-hit shutout, the Yankees' first since Sept. 22, 2014, against the Orioles. The Yankees had not registered a one-hit, zero-walk shutout since Mike Mussina's near-perfect game at Fenway Park on Sept. 2, 2001. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

"This might be the start of something right here," Judge said. "We've got to feed off those last couple of innings of this game. Our bullpen came out and did its job. Now let's get ready for tomorrow." “according to "This might be the start of something right here," Judge said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

Sabathia was helped by arguably the Yankees' best defensive effort of the season to date. Wade made a deft third-inning play on a Welington Castillo grounder to earn Sabathia's enthusiastic approval, followed two batters later by a diving Brett Gardner grab that stole a hit from Adam Engel. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

"It makes a huge difference when the guys are playing great defense, especially your first game back," Sabathia said. "You're just trying to get into the groove and guys are playing great behind you, it just makes it that much better." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

Sabathia added that he enjoyed the matchup with Nova, whose 16 victories for the 2011 Yankees were second only to Sabathia's 19. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

"I knew he was going to be good today," Sabathia said. "He's been calling me all week saying we were lining up. It was good to see him pitch well. I know he wanted to pitch good back here in Yankee Stadium. Nova's like a little brother to me, so I'm always wishing him well." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

The 38-year-old Sabathia leads all active Major Leaguers in strikeouts (2,989), innings pitched (3,475) and quality starts (313). He said his decision to retire after this campaign had already been made by December, when he noticed shortness of breath and excessive perspiration during workouts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

Doctors discovered a 90 percent blockage in an artery leading to the hurler's heart, prompting his Dec. 11 angioplasty. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/cc-sabathia-strong-in-2019-debut

First pitch is set for 1:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2019-04