Yankees set ALCS rotation, Tanaka to start Game 1
Fresh off of their stunning American League Division Series win over the Cleveland Indians, the New York Yankees set their rotation for the first four games of the ALCS against the Houston Astros.
The Yankees announced right-hander Masahiro Tanaka would get the Game 1 start and will be followed by Luis Severino, CC Sabathia, and Sonny Gray, respectively.
Tanaka, 28, was 13-12 during the regular season, with a 4.74 ERA - his highest since debuting in the majors in 2014. Tanaka was brilliant during his lone appearance in the ALDS against the Indians, tossing seven innings of shutout ball, allowing just three hits.
The Japanese hurler is 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA in four career starts against the Astros.
Career vs. Astros
| PITCHER | GS | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masahiro Tanaka | 4 | 17.1 | 0-2 | 10.38 | 1.79 | 16 |
| Luis Severino | 2 | 9.2 | 0-1 | 8.38 | 2.07 | 12 |
| CC Sabathia | 3 | 21.2 | 2-1 | 4.15 | 1.29 | 20 |
| Sonny Gray | 9 | 58.1 | 4-3 | 3.09 | 1.29 | 45 |
Tanaka will square off against Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel in Game 1 on Friday, while Severino will pitch opposite Justin Verlander.