Masahiro Tanaka Tabbed For Opener In London As New York Takes On Boston

When the two American League East rivals play each other it’s in one of two places either Yankee Stadium in the Bronx or at Fenway Park in Massachttes.

On Saturday however when New York and Boston start their two game series they’re not play at either of those venues. Instead they’re playing in London for the first time where sports such as Basketball, Cricket, Rowing , Rugby and American Football are popular.

New York comes into the opening game of the two game series with a record of 52-28 and is in first place in the American League East while Boston comes into the opening game with a record of 44-38 and is in third place in the division. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

Masahiro Tanaka will start the opening game for New York. The Japanese right -hander comes into the game with a record of 5-5 with a 3.21 earn run average. Tanaka draws the start for the first game in London. The 30-year-old right-hander is coming off a solid two-run, six-inning effort against the Astros, and he is one start removed from a two-hit, 10-strikeout shutout of the Rays. He has not faced Boston this season. He will oppose Boston right -hander Rick Porcello who comes into the game with a record of 5-7 with a 4.52 earn run average. The righty will start for the Red Sox in MLB's first-ever game in London. Porcello took the loss in his last start, giving up eight hits and five runs over six innings against the Blue Jays. He is 10-9 with a 3.32 ERA lifetime against the Yankees. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for New York’s previous game,

They last played on the diamond on Wednesday where they swept Toronto in the Bronx.

James Paxton was shaky against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, allowing six runs in just 4 1/3 innings. But with the Yankees’ high-powered offense, it didn’t end up mattering. The Yanks came back from an early five-run deficit, and Gleyber Torres delivered a walk-off single in the ninth for an 8-7 victory at Yankee Stadium after Zack Britton had allowed the game to be tied in the top of the inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

“Guys that are really gifted, guys that are really talented in whatever they do, usually the situation doesn’t affect them,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Gleyber, since he’s come up to the big leagues last year, he’s been in that situation a lot, and it seems like comes through a lot and relishes those opportunities. Just a really good at-bat by him, being able to fight that off the other way like he did.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

It was Torres’ third career walk-off hit and first of the season. Even at a young age, he’s already become a player to rely on in those situations. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

It’s not easy to come back like that, but we just have such a good lineup that, you know, a couple guys on, and there was no doubt in my mind Gleyber was going to come through right there,” DJ LeMahieu said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

It isn’t just Torres. The entire offense has been borderline unstoppable, homering in an MLB-record 29 straight games, which is now two games more than the previous record of 27 by the 2002 Rangers. Didi Gregorius and LeMahieu went deep in the finale. The Yankees got another streak going, too. They have now gone a full season’s worth of games without being shut out -- 162. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

As most of the Yankees’ offensive output has been all year, it was a true team effort. Every starter had a hit except for Aaron Hicks, and he still knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly and scored a run after reaching on a walk, one of two times he reached base. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

That offense gives the Yankees the confidence to face practically any deficit. Asked what the team’s mentality is in the dugout when down 5-0 early in the game, Boone said succinctly, “Our game.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

It’s great to watch this offense,” Paxton said. “These guys are swinging the bats extremely well. We feel like we’re going to score a bunch of runs every day, no matter who’s out there facing us. We’re extremely confident right now. Those guys are playing great baseball, and I’m going to work to join them, help us win and do my part.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

The offense picked up Paxton, who did not make it out of the fifth inning. After the game, Boone did not seem concerned that Paxton was dealing with any lingering effects from the left knee injury that had sidelined him earlier this year. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

“I really do think he’s going to take off,” Boone said. “As long as he remains healthy, he’s going to pitch well. … He can go out there and dominate any lineup when he’s pitching well. These [kind of outings] are going to happen. As far as my confidence in him, I really feel good about him going on a really good run for us at some point.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gleyber-torres-hits-walk-off-single-in-yanks-win

Unlike New York, Boston was on the other end of the spectrum their previous game.

There was little question from the sound off the bat that Matt Barnes' fastball to José Abreu was going to propel out of Fenway Park. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

The home run traveled 401 feet over the Green Monster Wall at a racing speed of 105 mph, according to Statcast, taking the Red Sox's comeback attempt with it on Wednesday afternoon. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

"I didn't do my job," Barnes said following the Red Sox's 8-7 loss to the White Sox. "Offense did a phenomenal job of coming back and scoring three in the eighth. To give it up like that, it's tough." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

After trailing by two runs heading into the eighth inning, the Red Sox put together a three-run rally for what would have been their 26th come-from-behind victory this season. But unlike Monday night, when the Red Sox won with a walk-off single by Marco Hernandez in the ninth, it was the White Sox who played spoiler this time.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

Abreu won the battle of a 10-pitch at-bat. Down in the count 1-2, Abreu fouled off three straight pitches, took a ball in the dirt, fouled off three more pitches and then smacked a 96.9-mph four-seam fastball deep to left. Barnes threw 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

"In the entire at-bat, the only mistake I made was the one he hit," Barnes said. "It's unfortunate. I executed damn-near every single pitch that I wanted to him, and the one that didn't get there, he hit a home run. That's tough to swallow when you execute 90 percent of the time, and the one time costs you the game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

It was not the first time the Red Sox pitching was hit hard by Abreu in this series. The White Sox first baseman belted a 430-foot home run over the Green Monster off Eduardo Rodriguez on Monday. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

"At this level, you know you need to make adjustments pitch-by-pitch," said Abreu. "That's what I was trying to do in that at-bat. I tip my cap to the Red Sox, because they put up a good fight." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

blown saves this year. Barnes, who threw one inning on Tuesday, entered the game with an 8.64 ERA on zero days rest, compared to 3.52 on one day of rest. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

"We've been playing a lot of close games, and we've been using a lot of people," manager Alex Cora said. "Today, Chris [Sale] gave us six, obviously wasn't perfect, and we got the lead in the eighth and he was a guy we needed today, and it just didn't happen." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

Sale described his 17th start of the season as "rough, again." He allowed five runs off six hits, including a home run to James McCann, in six innings. The White Sox scored three runs in the first inning after the first four batters got on base. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

"I've just got to find a way to get on top of that, find a way to get in a groove and get comfortable out there and just put it all together," Sale said. "It's just one of those things that's kind of gotten away, gotten out of hand, too. I can't put our guys in a hole like that early on." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

Finding the strike zone was not an issue for Sale, who continued to tally up double-digit K's. He struck out 10 batters, fanning 10 or more in five of his last six starts. But he remains winless at Fenway Park, where he is 0-2 with a 4.27 ERA in eight starts. Last season, Sale went 4-2 with a 2.11 ERA in Boston. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

"Nothing [feels different]. For some reason, I suck here. I don't know what it is, but I've had maybe, for me, I think I've only had one good game here. I don't know what it is. I usually, the last couple of years I feel like I've done pretty well here. We always have good crowds, and pitching at Fenway's always fun. But for whatever reason, I just haven't been able to put it together here." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

The loss highlighted the Red Sox's struggles at home this season, as they fell to 20-20 at Fenway Park. They will travel to London to face the American League East first-place Yankees on Saturday and Sunday, which count as Red Sox home games. Then they head on the road, where they are 24-18, for six games in Toronto and Detroit. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

"We just need to get better around -- just offensively, defensively, running the bases, pitching, everything," Cora said. "For us to get to where we plan on going, we have to step it up." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/matt-barnes-blown-save

First pitch is set for 1:10pm from London Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox.