Masahiro Tanaka, Starting Wednesday, Lined Up To Pitch AL Wild-Card Game
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled to pitch against the Red Sox on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.
Barring an injury, that will set him up to start in the American League wild-card game that the Bombers will likely host next Tuesday night.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi admitted that the 26-year-old will "probably" get the call for the one-game playoff.
Tanaka's last start was skipped because the right-hander was dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.
"I knew that I was going to be out there before the season ended, so not a big surprise there," Tanaka told reporters through his translator. "But yes, I'm relieved and happy to be out there."
The Yankees have six games remaining on their schedule. They are five games behind the Blue Jays in the American League East but lead the Astros by 3 1/2 games for the top wild-card spot. The Angels are a half-game behind Houston for the second wild card, and the Twins are a game-and-a-half back.
Tanaka has made 23 starts for New York this season. He's 12-7 with a 3.38 ERA, and has recorded 136 strikeouts to 26 walks in 149 innings pitched.
The former All-Star will not have an innings limit on Wednesday, nor will he be restricted to a specific pitch count.