Masahiro Tanaka Looks To Help New York Bounce Back In The Finale Against Los Angeles And Clinch The American League East Title

Another night, another game, another opportunity to win the American League East Title.

On Thursday night New York will turn to Japanese right -hander Masahiro Tanaka to not only help New York bounce back against the Los Angeles Angels and win the series but win the American League Division Title while the Los Angeles Angels will look to win yet another game and also win the series.

New York who is a member of the American League East and leading their division comes into the finale with a record of 99-54 while the Los Angeles Angels who are a member of the American League West and fourth in their division come into the finale with a record of 69-83. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

As stated above,

Masahiro Tanaka will start the finale for New York. The Japanese right -hander comes into the game with a record of 10-8 with a 4.60 earn run average. Tanaka was moved from Friday to this start, potentially setting the right-hander up to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series on regular rest. He will oppose Los Angeles left-hander Andrew Heaney who comes into the finale with a record of 4-5 with a 4.76 earn run average. Heaney had a 1.82 ERA through four August starts, but he has an 8.79 ERA in three September outings. He allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Rays on Friday. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for New York and Los Angeles previous game,

The team that dawns the pinstripes could have clinched the American League East with a win and a Tampa Bay loss but instead that was put on hold as New York lost to the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay topped the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 8-7.

Sabathia earned a warm ovation following what could have been his final Major League start and Stanton ripped a double in his first big league at-bat in nearly three months, but Adam Ottavino committed a costly sixth-inning throwing error as the Yankees absorbed a 3-2 loss to the Angels on Wednesday evening at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

With a magic number of one, the Yankees remained in their clubhouse to watch the outcome of the Rays’ game against the Dodgers, hoping to pop corks and celebrate the organization’s first division crown since 2012. Tampa Bay defeated Los Angeles, 8-7, in 11 innings, at which point manager Aaron Boone sent his players home to try again on Thursday. Masahiro Tanaka will try to lock down the division title starting at 6:35 p.m. ET. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

“It’s obviously really disappointing,” Ottavino said. “I haven’t gotten great results of late. I try to take the emotion out of it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

With the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, Albert Pujols dribbled a tapper back to the mound. Ottavino fielded the ball but lobbed his throw past catcher Kyle Higashioka, allowing Michael Hermosillo to score the deciding run. New York managed just six hits, including only one after the fourth inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

“We hate to lose,” Boone said. “Credit to their pitchers: They executed well, and we didn’t get much going, frankly. The second half of the game, our pitchers did a pretty good job of holding them down, but we couldn’t mount enough.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

The Angels produced two runs and five hits against Sabathia, who was lifted with two outs in the third inning, handing the ball to Boone before being embraced by his teammates in front of the first-base dugout. Aaron Judge tied the game with a two-run homer off Dillon Peters in the third inning, his 24th, but the bubbly remained on ice as the Angels reclaimed the lead in the sloppy sixth. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

“It was fun to be able to go out there, especially with a chance to be able to clinch,” Sabathia said. “All I was really thinking about was trying to make good pitches. When the team is in the position it’s in, it kind of takes the focus off you, so it was a lot of fun.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

Hello, stranger

Stanton had not appeared in a big league game since June 25 due to a strain of his right posterior cruciate ligament, and due to the conclusion of the Minor League season, his rehab had been limited to logging at-bats against organizational pitchers at the club’s Tampa, Fla., complex and a handful of instructional league games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

As he aims to get his stroke ready for prime time, Stanton delivered in his first at-bat, lashing a double to the gap in left-center field. Stanton also grounded out and struck out, playing six innings in left field. Stanton showed off his arm with a strong third-inning throw to home plate, and Boone said that he plans to have Stanton serve as the designated hitter on Thursday. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

“You've just got to roll with what you've got,” Stanton said. “We worked to get back, and I'm here now. You just use these games as a tune-up and be ready for the playoffs.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

High and outside

The game turned on Ottavino’s errant throw in the sixth, as a better throw would have erased Hermosillo on a force play. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

“I saw him in the corner of my eye going real fast,” Ottavino said. “I tried to rush the throw a little bit, and I wasn’t so close that I could flip it, I didn’t think. So I tried to make a quick transfer, and I never gripped it. By the time I started moving my arm forward, it was already gone.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

A stalwart of the Yanks’ late-game bullpen mix, Ottavino has permitted a run in each of his last four appearances. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

“It’s a do-or-don’t league,” Ottavino said. “I didn’t do it today. I think ultimately for me, I believe in myself. I’ll just continue to work, and hopefully great pitching is right around the corner.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-lose-to-angels-on-throwing-error

Meanwhile Los Angeles evened up the series.

The Angels had plenty of scoring opportunities against the Yankees on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium. When the game was over, they had done just enough to edge New York, 3-2. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

Los Angeles made sure that New York’s pitchers didn’t have clean innings. During the first seven innings, the only clean frame was the second, when starter CC Sabathia struck out the side. The Angels ended up going 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position, and their biggest chance to score a handful of runs occurred in the sixth inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

The score was tied at 2 with the bases loaded, no outs and Yankees reliever Adam Ottavino on the mound. After Andrelton Simmons flied out to Brett Gardner for the first out of the inning, Albert Pujols hit a grounder to Ottavino, who threw home but well over the head of catcher Kyle Higashioka to allow Michael Hermosillo to score the go-ahead run. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

“Once the ball was on the ground, my only option was to go home,” Hermosillo said. “And then it was just avoiding the catcher. I didn’t want to have anything happen where I hit him. I couldn’t see the ball sailing over my head. After looking at the video, I could see it. Luckily, I was able to put a little pressure on [Ottavino] and let him try to make a play.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

The Angels couldn’t tack on from there, as Kole Calhoun and Kevan Smith struck out to end the threat, but their third run proved to be plenty. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

“I was pleased by the win,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “You are glad to put yourself in a position to get the bases loaded. We got a run out of it today. But it has been a little bit of a challenge with the bases loaded this past month. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

“We would like to get the big hit. I will take the single run tonight because it gave us the win. But we like the big hit once in a while, too.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

Los Angeles needed four pitchers to keep the Yankees in check. In relief of starter Dillon Peters, Luke Bard picked up the victory by working three scoreless, hitless innings and striking out five batters. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

“This might be as good of an outing as I’ve seen from Bard, going back to the beginning of last year, when he was here,” Ausmus said. “He had a lot of swings and misses on the slider. Fastball velocity was good. He looked sharp.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

It has been an up-and-down season for Bard. The 28-year-old righty has spent a lot of time in the Minor Leagues this year, but he feels he has assumed a regular routine since rejoining the Angels on Sept. 1. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

“I’m trying to be ready to go all the time,” Bard said. “I’m getting ahead [of the hitters], staying ahead, throwing my slider in good spots. I’m working the fastball inside, outside, up and down. Things that I know can make me successful, it’s just a matter of going out there and executing it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

After Ty Buttrey pitched one frame, Hansel Robles earned his 22nd save by working around one hit in the ninth. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

Ausmus seemed pleased that his team -- temporarily, at least -- prevented the Yankees from clinching the American League East title. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

“It’s not fun to watch, although it doesn’t bother me,” Ausmus said. “I’m sure they will get their celebration soon enough. I would rather not be here.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/angels-beat-yankees-on-throwing-error

First pitch is set for 6:35pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes and FS-W.