Masahiro Tanaka finally looks like the ace the New York Yankees need
By Tim Haberin
The New York Yankees‘ big four-game weekend series with the Toronto Blue Jays did not exactly go as planned. The Bronx Bombers dropped three games to their division rivals and currently sit three back in the AL East. With 19 contests yet to play, that is certainly not an insurmountable hurdle. But considering how sizzling-hot the Jays have been, the Yanks will be thinking at least somewhat about the possibility of a one-game Wild Card playoff.
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If there was a silver lining to the previous series, it was that in salvaging its final game the Yankees witnessed a very compelling case as to which pitcher should start in that potential elimination scenario. Masahiro Tanaka baffled Toronto over the course of seven innings, allowing just four hits, no walks and striking out seven.
In fact, the Japanese right-hander has had the Jays’ number of late. Over his last three starts against Toronto dating back to August 9, Tanaka has surrendered only three earned runs, 12 hits and three walks in 22 frames (1.23 ERA) along with 20 strikeouts. The ability to stymie that powerful lineup is a skill the Yankees have to value very highly right now.
Tanaka’s overall numbers on the season look solid enough. He sports a 12-6 record and a 3.40 ERA in 22 outings. He also currently leads the American League with a .993 WHIP. However, those who have been following his campaign more closely know there have been various ups and downs.
Much was made of the partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of Tanaka’s right elbow heading into the season, and debate raged over whether he should have undergone surgery to repair it. Fortunately for him and the Yankees, that specific injury has seemingly not given him any physical trouble this year. He did miss about five weeks with a forearm strain, though, so it hasn’t been a spotless season health-wise.
Tanaka’s performances have also tended to be a bit less consistent than they were a year ago, when he earned an All-Star nod for his stellar first half and put up a 2.77 ERA. He endured a rough patch from late June through the end of July, managing an uncharacteristically elevated 5.08 ERA over seven starts.
His eight outings since then have been much more to his and the Yankees’ liking. During his last 55.1 innings, Tanaka has pitched to a 2.77 ERA and held opponents to just a .206 batting average. He has also given his team sorely-needed length and effectiveness from its rotation. Along with seven- and nine-inning efforts against the Blue Jays in the past month, Tanaka also hurled eight impressive frames opposite Baltimore last week, limiting the Orioles to one run while striking out ten.
Tanaka’s recent form is coming at precisely the right time for the Yanks, as several of their other candidates to start a possible one-game playoff have experienced setbacks of late. Nathan Eovaldi looked like a surprising frontrunner for the job, but right elbow inflammation will sideline him for the remainder of the regular season.
Rookie Luis Severino was making an unlikely bid as well, but he suffered his first truly poor outing last weekend (2.1 IP, 6 ER) and the Yankees would surely prefer not to drop the youngster into that kind of high-leverage situation so soon. Michael Pineda occasionally flashes postseason-ready dominance (see 16 K against the O’s on May 10) but has also been prone to struggle at times (see 6.21 ERA over last six starts).
With about three weeks left to go, a lot can still happen. The Yankees won’t relinquish their division hopes until the very end, and if Tanaka keeps dealing they certainly still have a shot. Nevertheless, the one-game Wild Card matchup is a distinct possibility and one for which the team must be prepared.
Some of their potential opponents will be able to throw big-name pitchers at them. Not long ago the Yankees’ own rotation pecking order was looking quite murky, but now they will be far more confident in handing the ball to Masahiro Tanaka if their season is on the line.