Masahiro Tanaka To Start As New York Heads To Canada To Take On Toronto

After taking 2-3 games in Detroit New York now heads to Canada where they will take on Toronto for three games starting Friday night who like them is a member of the American League East.

The Japanese right -hander Masahiro Tanaka will start the opening game for New York.

In his last outing that came against Boston Tanaka endured another abbreviated outing Sunday, allowing four runs and eight hits over four innings, including a two-run Jackie Bradley Jr. homer. “according https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

It was a bit of a grind,” Tanaka said through an interpreter. “I felt like I was getting into favorable counts with two strikes, but not being really able to finish it off. I think that was the part that made it a grind.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

Boone said he thought Tanaka struggled with his splitter, which allowed the Red Sox to work lengthy at-bats. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

“I look at the big picture,” Boone said. “Over the last month to six weeks, for the most part he’s been really sharp and really good. He’s in a good place throwing the ball. He pitched tonight in a game we won. It wasn’t perfect, but I feel like overall he’s in a good spot.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

Easy being Green

There are a variety of roles in which Chad Green could be utilized in October, and Sunday’s performance in shutting down the middle innings garnered him a few points in the bullpen pecking order. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

Green was stellar, inheriting a two-run lead from Tanaka and striking out five over three perfect innings. Boone said he pushed Green to equal his season-high of three innings (also Aug. 21 at Oakland) because he threw 27 of 37 pitches for strikes. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

“He was so efficient, we let him run a little bit there,” Boone said. “He was terrific getting the ball to the back end of the game.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

Left out

The victory came at a cost, as Tauchman felt tightness in his left calf while fielding Brock Holt’s fifth-inning single, one half-inning after Tauchman hooked his 13th homer around Pesky’s Pole in right field. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

One of the great surprises of this “Next Man Up” Yankees season, Tauchman left the game almost immediately and will return to New York on Monday for evaluation and imaging under the care of team physician Christopher Ahmad.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

“It’s incredibly disheartening,” Tauchman said. “Being out there with the guys has been amazing. Whatever the treatment is, I’m going to attack that and get back on the field as fast as I can.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

In Tauchman’s absence, Boone said Cameron Maybin is likely to play regularly in left field. Maybin’s playing time has been impacted of late by lingering soreness in his left wrist that could require surgery after the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/aaron-judge-hits-yankees-record-268th-homer

New York who is leading the American League East comes into the game with a record of 97-51 while Toronto who is fourth in the division comes into the opening game with a record of 57-90. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

As stated above,

Masahiro Tanaka will start the opening game for New York. The right -hander comes into the game with a record of 10-8 with a 4.53 earn run average. Tanaka took a step backward in his last start, allowing four runs and eight hits to the Red Sox over four innings, though he received a no-decision. Tanaka is 4-3 with a 3.18 ERA in nine career starts at Rogers Centre. He will oppose Toronto left-hander Anthony Kay who unlike Masahiro Tanaka will be making his second career start in the Major Leagues. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 0-0 with a 3.18 earn run average. Kay will make his second career Major League start on Friday, and faces a tall test in the Yankees. The lefty looked sharp in his debut on Sept. 7, allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts against the Rays. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for New York’s previous games, they had to play a doubleheader in Detroit on Thursday.

Get the brooms out because New York not only won the opening game of the doubleheader but the nightcap as well.

The Yankees previewed one of their postseason pitching concepts on Thursday, utilizing CC Sabathia and Domingo Germán as a piggyback tandem in a 6-4 victory over the Tigers that completed a sweep of a single-admission doubleheader at Comerica Park. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

Manager Aaron Boone said that "everything is on the table" as the Yankees deploy starters in October, and German could become one of their most versatile pieces. Sabathia completed 3 1/3 innings in his return from the injured list, then turned the mound over to German, who continued his breakout season with sharp work over four frames. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

"All year, he's been great," Sabathia said. "To see him come in in that situation and pick up the win was great. He's got 18 wins now, so hopefully he can get two more and get to 20." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

With the clubs back on the field 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Yanks' 10-4 victory in Game 1, Aaron Judge put New York on the board quickly with a two-run, first-inning homer off starter Spencer Turnbull, who also surrendered run-scoring hits to DJ LeMahieu and Didi Gregorius in a five-inning effort. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

Making his first start since Aug. 30 due to right knee inflammation, Sabathia strapped on his bulky brace and blanked Detroit through three innings. A leadoff walk and a one-out single set up Brandon Dixon's two-run double, which ended Sabathia's afternoon at 56 pitches. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

"We have a lot of good pitchers and I like putting them in situations that hopefully we can maximize them," Boone said. "Today between CC and Domingo, it was pretty effective." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

Sabathia walked one and struck out five. His third strikeout surpassed John Smoltz for 16th on the all-time strikeouts list, and Sabathia now sits at 3,087 for his career. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

"I felt sharp. I'm excited and encouraged about how it felt tonight," Sabathia said. "I felt good in my bullpen [sessions]. You never know when a hitter gets in there. I felt pretty good, so hopefully I can keep building off this." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

In came German, whose only previous relief appearance of the year was also following Sabathia, on April 13 against the White Sox. German showcased an electric arsenal in shutting down the Tigers' bats, recording 12 outs -- five via strikeout -- while limiting Detroit to two hits. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

"The preparation was the same. Nothing changed," German said through an interpreter. "I was just waiting for the phone call to go into the game and just have the same kind of mindset; have a positive mind and make believe that I'm starting the game." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

The sweep came at a price for the first-place Yankees, whose magic number to lock up the American League East was reduced to five with the Rays' 6-4 loss to the Rangers on Thursday night. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

After losing Edwin Encarnacion (left oblique strain) and J.A. Happ (left biceps tendinitis) to injuries in the opener, catcher Gary Sánchez was removed in the fourth inning with left groin tightness. Sanchez missed 16 games earlier this season with a left groin strain that sidelined him from July 24 to Aug. 10. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

"I keep saying, it's going to make for a good World Series DVD," Sabathia said. "There's nothing we can do, just keep going. That's what we've done all year and we'll continue to do that." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

The wall is day to day

Judge made a terrific over-the-shoulder catch to take away a potential extra-base hit from John Hicks in the fourth inning, crashing into the padded wall. Judge appeared to wince momentarily, saying that the left side of his body had absorbed the impact. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

Asked if he felt OK after the crash, Judge replied, "Oh yeah. Did you ask the wall?" “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

Boone said that he had some concern when he saw Judge stumble after the grab, but he recognized that Judge was fine when the outfielder returned to the dugout. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

"First thing is, unbelievable play," Boone said. "He's homered, then he takes away that, which is going to be another run. To see him flinch there for a second, because he usually doesn't show anything, it definitely gets your attention." “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

The wall was not available for comment. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

Twenty-twenty vision

Gio Urshela came off the bench to extend the Yanks' lead with a ninth-inning home run off Gregory Soto, marking Urshela's career-high 20th. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/cc-sabathia-domingo-german-stymie-tigers

Meanwhile, Detroit had not one but two setbacks in the doubleheader.

In the first game

The first-inning drive from Luke Voit kept carrying through the overcast sky around Comerica Park, leaving fans on the center-field concourse incredulous as the 449-foot home run landed in the second row of shrubs. By contrast, the third-inning drive from Edwin Encarnacion barely gave anybody time to react, screaming down the left-field line with a 106.8-mph exit velocity. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

They counted the same on Matthew Boyd's pitching line, both two-run homers, in the Yankees' 10-4 win over the Tigers to open Thursday's doubleheader. But they also were the expected outcome of a clash between a team setting single-season records for home runs and a pitcher who is threatening the Tigers' franchise record for homers allowed in a season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Take away the two homers, and Boyd pitched well against the high-powered Yankees offense, allowing one other hit over five innings. Take away two infield errors ahead of Voit's home run, and the Yankees' first baseman doesn't get a chance to hurt Boyd in the first. Nevertheless, it hits at the core of Boyd's second-half struggles: The big fly is hounding him. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

"Obviously, I can be more efficient, but we held them pretty good," Boyd said. "Unfortunately the difference in the game was the home runs. If those four runs don't score, it's probably a different ballgame. So it's on me there." “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Boyd had won his previous two starts in opposing fashions: The lefty overcame four Twins home runs with 11 strikeouts over six innings two weeks ago, then held the Royals homerless despite a season-high 10 hits allowed over 6 1/3 quality innings last Thursday in Kansas City. In the latter, Boyd used his changeup to keep Royals hitters off-balance after they tagged him for three homers a month earlier in Detroit. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Boyd threw 10 changeups among his 94 pitches last week Kauffman Stadium, as catcher Grayson Greiner tried adamantly to work Boyd's offspeed into the arsenal. Boyd's first changeup to a Yankees hitter on Thursday was his 49th pitch of the afternoon, 15 batters in. His first four dozen pitches to rookie catcher Jake Rogers were almost exclusively fastballs and sliders, the combination that served him well for most of the first half and has set up many of his strikeouts even amidst his home-run struggles. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

"[Boyd] and the catcher didn't do very well together. That's my biggest disappointment," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. "The game took forever. Boyd was real slow, a lot of shaking [off signs]. We'll have to make an adjustment there. They just weren't on the same page." “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Both home runs Thursday came off fastballs. Voit essentially golfed one out after Boyd missed low with a first-pitch slider, punishing Boyd after Dawel Lugo's error on an Aaron Judge hard-hit grounder extended the inning. Encarnacion, by contrast, wasn't fooled when Boyd came up and in with a fastball for a third consecutive pitch after a two-out walk to Judge extended the third inning.”according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

"Up and in is where we go [with Encarnacion], but it wasn't a smart pitch-calling on my part," Boyd said. "I tripled up a fastball in to a very professional hitter. That was just not smart. I executed the pitch I threw, but that was a situation where I should've thought something different. I just wasn't thinking clearly on that one." “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

With those two homers, Boyd retook the Major League lead with 38. With likely three starts left this season, he's almost certain to become the first Tigers pitcher with a 40-homer season since Hall of Famer Jack Morris in 1986. Boyd could also threaten Denny McLain's franchise record of 42 home runs allowed, set in 1966. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Morris allowed his 40 homers over 267 innings, after which he yielded 39 homers off 266 innings the next season. McLain's 42 homers were spread out over 264 1/3 innings. Boyd, by contrast, sits at 176 1/3 innings. Even in a historic season for home runs across baseball, it's a concern for the Tigers as they look toward Boyd potentially anchoring their rotation next year. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Boyd struck out just three Yankees on Thursday while walking four, one off his season high. Once he left, New York pulled away with three runs each off rookie Bryan Garcia and Matt Hall. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

If this were last year, the Tigers might have kept up against Yankees starter J.A. Happ, an opponent they hit for 16 runs in three starts last season. The lefty entered the game with a 5.25 ERA for his career against Detroit, but held the Tigers scoreless until Lugo’s two-run homer with two outs in the fifth. Travis Demeritte added an eighth-inning solo homer. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

As for the second game,

The fog that settled over Comerica Park on Thursday evening shrouded the downtown skyline and made a few fly balls an adventure before it finally lifted in the late innings of the Tigers' 6-4 loss to the Yankees. For Spencer Turnbull, the fog lifted sooner. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

The last time Turnbull took the mound, he spent more time in the dugout talking with his manager than he spent pitching. Such was the concern Ron Gardenhire had about his young right-hander and his series of slow outings, quick exits and inconsistent command. Gardenhire wasn't going to talk to him about mechanics or pitches; he just wanted to sit down with him about mentality. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

"I told him, 'You've been pitching your whole life. What you always did as a kid is what you should be doing right now: Let the catcher put down a sign, and you try to throw it right to the glove,'" Gardenhire said. "Any more than that is too much right now for him. That's exactly what I told him and how I told him: 'You have to clear it all out and throw to the glove,' just like he did growing up." “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

In that context, Turnbull's five innings marked a step in the right direction despite the loss and a doubleheader sweep. His slider, a pitch that has been wildly inconsistent in recent starts, was a viable swing-and-miss pitch, drawing eight swinging strikes from a New York lineup that struck out just three times earlier in the day against Matthew Boyd in the Tigers' 10-4 loss. Turnbull's eight strikeouts tied his second-highest total of the season. His tempo was quicker, keeping his defense involved, and he posted his deepest start since Aug. 27. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Turnbull's confidence, shaky as it has seemed at times, was relatively intact. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

"Better than I have [felt] in a while," Turnbull said. "Obviously the results weren't what I was hoping for, but it definitely felt like my mental process was better." “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

In a results context, Turnbull still became the first Detroit pitcher with 15 losses in a season since Justin Verlander in 2008. The Tigers, meanwhile, missed a chance to win the season series from the Yankees for the first time since 2011. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

"Obviously, he probably sees it," Gardenhire said of the losses. "The smart ones don't read it." “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

The way Turnbull's stretch run has gone, and the Tigers' season as a whole, the small victories are the focus. He was 3-4 with a 2.84 ERA when he picked up his last win May 31; he's 0-11 with a 6.75 ERA over 15 starts since. They've kept sending him to the mound each rotation turn in hopes of getting him back in sync.

"He's doing fine," Gardenhire continued. "He's a good young pitcher. If he continues and stays healthy, he'll be one of the guys in this rotation that we're going to count on, because he's got stuff."

That stuff had been a mish-mash in recent outings. Turnbull had little more than his fastball last Friday in Oakland, where he allowed almost as many runs (four) as he recorded outs (five), including a bases-loaded walk in a 39-pitch second inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

When Aaron Judge hit a fly ball into the fog and into the right-field seats for a two-run homer, Turnbull seemed headed in the same direction Thursday with a 2-0 deficit just seven pitches in. Instead, he took Gardenhire's words to heart and regrouped. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

"I think, lately, I've been letting stuff get to me," Turnbull said. "I've been overthinking stuff or trying to be too perfect instead of just having that [mentality] of, 'Here it is, I'm coming at you.' First inning was a little rough, but I stuck with it. I think that helped me pitch a lot better." “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Turnbull threw an equal mix of fastballs and sliders, 32 each according to Statcast, with a healthy dose of sinkers mixed in. His curveball, which had been his main breaking ball while he tried to find his slider, was more of a secondary pitch. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Most importantly, Turnbull worked quickly and pitched aggressively. His lone walk was a two-out, third-inning pass to Gary Sanchez, who was caught stealing two pitches later. Two of Turnbull's three other three-ball counts ended in strikeouts, fanning Gleyber Torres in the third inning and Brett Gardner in the fourth. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

In hindsight, Turnbull could've used one more full count. He would gladly take back the 2-2 fastball he tried to locate up and inside on Judge. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

"Judge's homer, he's big and strong and he kind of blocked it out to right," catcher Grayson Greiner said. "But [Turnbull] threw the ball and gave us a chance." “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Turnbull had enough going on with his own pitching to worry about his counterpart, but he could've taken an example from what is likely CC Sabathia's final outing at Comerica Park, where he owns 11 of his 251 career wins. With an array of sinkers, cutters, sliders and changeups, the 39-year-old lefty returned from the injured list and shut down Detroit until Brandon Dixon's two-run double chased him in the fourth. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Four innings later, Christin Stewart pinch-hit in the eighth inning with two runners on in a 4-2 game. His opposite-field line drive off Tommy Kahnle had an expected batting average of .810, according to Statcast, but Torres snared it and fired to shortstop Didi Gregorius to double off Harold Castro at second base and end the threat. Gio Urshela's two-run homer in the ninth provided the eventual difference once Greiner's first Major League triple started a ninth-inning rally. “according to https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/matthew-boyd-haunted-by-home-runs

Unlike New York, Toronto didn’t have to play a doubleheader on Thursday and they didn’t get the win against their American League East foe either. Instead they lost in the finale at Fenway Park.

The Blue Jays outfield entered Thursday as a crowded, complicated picture, and quickly turned into an adventure in the 7-4 loss to the Red Sox. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-outfield-errors-vs-red-sox

With six outfielders on the active roster, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. due back from the injured list soon and a handful of infielders who have also dabbled at the position, the Blue Jays are looking to strike a balance between prioritizing current performance and seeing what their young guys can offer in 2020 and beyond. Thursday’s game showed why that’s such a difficult balance to strike. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-outfield-errors-vs-red-sox

With Derek Fisher, Randal Grichuk and Billy McKinney earning the start from left to right, a handful of defensive miscues cost the Blue Jays. With two out in the bottom of the second, the Red Sox jumped ahead 2-0 on an RBI double from Marco Hernandez that McKinney got a glove on while sliding, but couldn’t squeeze to end the inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-outfield-errors-vs-red-sox

“Billy came up to me and tried to apologize two or three times,” said starter Clay Buchholz, who allowed four runs on seven hits over four innings in his first start against his former team. “I told him, ‘You don’t ever have to apologize. I know you’re not out there trying to do something to cause me runs. That’s not what the game’s about.’ They feel bad, but if I make a better pitch in that scenario then the ball doesn’t even get hit there, so I can take the blame for that.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-outfield-errors-vs-red-sox

Later, in the fourth, Jackie Bradley Jr. sent a 375-foot fly ball to the base of the wall in left field, according to Statcast. Fisher tracked the ball back to the wall and was there in time to make the play, but he appeared to get caught looking between the ball and the base of the wall. It wasn’t charged as an error, but Bradley eventually came around to score an insurance run. Jump to the ninth, and Fisher had a Mookie Betts single bounce in front of him, get past him and roll all the way to the wall, allowing Betts to reach third on an error. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-outfield-errors-vs-red-sox

Anthony Alford entered the game as a pinch-hitter for McKinney in the bottom of the fifth, which is one way that manager Charlie Montoyo hopes to use him down the stretch. Alford also should see some starts against left-handed pitching, which makes Saturday’s game against the Yankees’ James Paxton likely. The club’s athletically gifted No. 20 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, reached on an infield single later in the game. But he made a defensive miscue of his own, too, as a Brock Holt single bounced off his glove and skipped behind him, allowing Holt to take second on the error before scoring later in the inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-outfield-errors-vs-red-sox

With Alford out of options next season and Jonathan Davis also in the picture, Montoyo would love to get reps to as many players as possible, but there are only so many blank spaces on the lineup card. With the club still hoping to give opportunities to Fisher, McKinney and others down the stretch, it creates more of a squeeze on Alford and Davis than there would be in an average September. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-outfield-errors-vs-red-sox

First pitch is set for 7:07pm from Rogers Centre. The game will be televised on YES, SNET, TVA Sports.