Blue Jays Series Preview: New York Yankees are looking for revenge

Game One: Masahiro Tanaka vs. Aaron Sanchez

Game #1: April 12, 2016 – 7:07 ET

Aaron Sanchez (0-0, 1.29 ERA, 2.78 FIP) vs.
Masahiro Tanaka (0-0, 3.18 ERA, 4.62 FIP)

Aaron Sanchez has had a lot to smile about so far this year. A strong spring showing saw the #FreeSanchez campaign get underway early on and he took full advantage of his new rotation spot in his first start against the Rays. Sanchez went seven strong innings for the Blue Jays in a tight contest in Tampa Bay, giving up just one run on five hits and racking up eight K’s.

The key to this start from the right-hander was the zero walks. In 11 starts last season, Sanchez walked less than two batters just one time. He has pitched 10.1 career innings against the Yankees with a 3.48 ERA and six strike outs, and Carlos Beltran is the only Yankee who has hit a home run off of Sanchez.

Masahiro Tanaka has had his ups and downs against the Blue Jays. His success against this offence seems to stem from the Blue Jays’ inability to lay off his sweeping breaking-ball. Plate discipline will be a key to the Jays’ success in this one against Tanaka, as he has registered 48 strike outs and just seven walks in 44.1 career innings against the Blue Jays.

Josh Donaldson is expected to get the start at third base, after he spent the last series as the designated hitter while recovering from a strained calf muscle. Donaldson is 1 for 13 in his career against Tanaka; the one hit being a home run.

Next: Game Two: Michael Pineda vs. J.A. Happ