For all the grumbling and groaning from New York Yankees fans, perhaps Masahiro Tanaka still has a little savvy left.
Tanaka’s third start against the Tampa Bay Rays -- a 6-1 victory Friday night -- was a lot better than his first two. In fact, it was one of the best starts in baseball this season. Tanaka became the second pitcher in 2017 to strike out at least 14 and allow two hits or fewer. The other was Clayton Kershaw against the Brewers.
The Elias Sports Bureau notes that Tanaka is the third Yankees pitcher to have such a start, joining David Cone against the Marlins in 1998 and CC Sabathia in 2011 against the Mariners.