RADIO
Masahiro Tanaka is in line to most likely start the AL Wild Card game on Tuesday for the New York Yankees.
The right-hander recently suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain, though he returned on Wednesday. Tanaka allowed four runs in five innings of work in his return against the Boston Red Sox. The 26-year-old is on track to get the ball in the big one-game elimination round next week.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Masahiro Tanaka felt good after his start on Wednesday. He is in line to start the wild card on Tues.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) October 1, 2015
In 24 starts this season, the second-year pitcher owns a 12-7 record with a 3.51 ERA. Overall, Tanaka has been up and down this season. Prior to his hamstring injury, he was starting to throw the ball well again. He went six innings with two runs allowed against the Mets after he went seven scoreless against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees weren’t sure who to start in this game since none of the pitchers have really impressed the coaching staff enough to make a definitive answer.
New York clinched their Wild Card spot tonight and it will most likely host the Wild Card game next Tuesday. The opponent can be the Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins or Angels. Only a 1 1/2 games separate all three teams for the second Wild Card spot.
