Game #49 Preview: Anderson vs Tanaka

The Blue Jays wrap up their series in the Bronx, looking to salvage at least a little bit of dignity against the Yankees after losing the first 2 games by a combined scored of 33-8. Today’s game gets underway at 7:05 EDT.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Chase Anderson will give his try at corralling the Yankee bats. Anderson is making his 8th start of the season, and is still seeking that elusive first win. Overall, he is 0-1 with a 5.81 ERA, and has completed 5 innings just twice, 3 and 4 starts ago. After those two starts, things were looking good for Anderson, as he slowly got himself stretched out and seemed ready to be a strong member of the rotation.

In his last two starts, he has allowed 10 runs on 13 hits and 4 walks over just 6.2 innings, while allowing 4 home runs. In his 19.2 innings before that, he had allowed just 7 runs on 20 hits, 2 home runs and 4 walks. Oh how a season can derail so quickly.

Yankees’ Starter

Masahiro Tanaka makes his 9th start of the season, and he is currently 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA. He has been struggling pitching deep into games this season, have completed 6 innings just once, and only one other time has he even gotten an out in the 6th inning. But aside from the lack of depth, he has been typical Tanaka, perhaps even a bit better.

Over 37 innings, Tanaka has allowed 17 runs (just 13 earned) on 33 hits and a very impressive 5 walks, allowing 6 home runs while striking out 34. That walk rate is the best of his career, and places him 4th in the Majors among the 118 pitchers with at least 30 innings.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Teoscar Hernandez, who was activated yesterday with Derek Fisher going down with a bruised knee, is expected to be in the starting lineup today.

Bo Bichette has spent the last 2 games in the field, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back at DH today to give him a bit of a break again. The was Joe Panik is batting recently, .343/.465/.514 in 43 September PA, I would expect that he’s either going to be in at SS or DH, depending on where Bo is at.

Yankees’ Lineup

Giancarlo Stanton had the night off last night, but is expected to be back in the lineup today. Aaron Judge, who was activated prior to yesterday’s game, is expected to be on the bench in this one. Both are being eased back into service in preparation for the playoffs, knowing full well that they’re pretty much in and just need to be healthy.

Gleyber Torres, who missed his 3rd straight game yesterday with his quad injury, is probably going to be on a similar schedule as Stanton and Judge once he gets back in there. The Yankees top priority now is getting everyone healthy, and he’s their last remaining piece.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Kyle Higashioka, with his 3 home runs and 5 RBI, easily picks up the Monster Bat award.

Kyle Gibson threw a complete game shutout of 9 innings yesterday, picking up the Pitcher of the Day award. He allowed just 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9 to keep the Astros off the board and pick up the 1-0 win for his Rangers. Since it was such a close game, he also picked up a very impressive .763 WPA, easily making him the WPA King for the day too.

Standings Watch

With another loss to the Yankees last night, the Jays have fallen to a game and half back of them. However, Cleveland also lost, which means the Jays have held on to their 7th seed, half a game up on Cleveland, and 4 games up on the Orioles and Mariners, who are on the outside looking in.

Games back of Rays: 4.5
Magic Number for a Playoff Spot: 8

Find the Link

Find the link between Gleyber Torres and Mark Teixeira.