Game #94 Preview: Stroman vs Tanaka

After winning a not close at all game yesterday, the Blue Jays will try to win the series against the Yankees in New York. Today’s game gets underway at 1:05 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Potential future Yankee Marcus Stroman heads to the mound for the Jays, perhaps making one of his final starts in Blue Jays’ blue. Stroman is in the midst of another fantastic season, currently sitting with a 5-8 record and a 3.18 ERA. He surprisingly did not face off against the Yankees in the previous two series, so this will be his first look at the Yankees since August of last year.

Yankees’ Starter

Masahiro Tanaka gets the ball for the Yankees. The 30 year old Tanaka is having a bit of a rough time this season, although that’s only relative to his good career numbers, as he is still an above average starting pitcher. Through 18 starts on the season, Tanaka is 5-5 with a 3.86 ERA, with an FIP a bit higher at 4.24. His ERA and FIP are both the second highest of his career, behind his rough 2017 campaign. When normalized for the league environment, his 2019 ERA- and FIP- are both pretty much right in line with his career normals, which moreso makes it look like the league is improving as opposed to Tanaka getting worse.

Tanaka faced the Jays back at the beginning of June, and had a fairly rough outing. He was able to make it through 6 innings, but he allowed 4 runs on 6 hits, struck out just 2 while walking 2 and allowing 2 home runs. Randal Grichuk and Freddy Galvis touched him up for the two home runs in the 5th inning, the only inning the Jays would score in that game.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Justin Smoak is back in the lineup today after the off day yesterday, while Rowdy Tellez heads back to the bench. Cavan Biggio takes over DH duties.

Danny Jansen returns behind the plate, and Teoscar Hernandez is back in CF.

Yankees’ Lineup

Luke Voit moves from 1B to DH, which means that Edwin Encarnacion is on the bench in this one. Gio Urshela is back at 3B as well.

Mike Tauchman gets his first start since July 6, moving Brett Gardner to CF and Aaron Hicks to the bench.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Phillip Ervin went 6-6 with 4 singles, a double and a triple, driving in 3 of the Reds 17 runs against the Rockies. While he didn’t hit a home run, a 6-6 day is still deserving of the Monster Bat award, as Ervin’s Reds held on for the 17-9 win.

Juan Soto hit a two out, two run home run in the top of the 9th to give his Nationals the 4-3 lead and eventually the win. That home run alone was worth .749 WPA, accounting for more than all of WPA King winning .736 WPA in the Nats win over the Phillies.

Brad Keller threw 8 innings of 1 run ball, allowing just 4 hits and no walks while he struck out 7 to win the Pitcher of the Day award. His excellent start helped his Royals to the 4-1 win over the Tigers.

Find the Link

Find the link between Tanaka and Spec Shea.

Stats are courtesy of Fangraphs