Put on the cape
Masahiro Tanaka needs to be a Super Hiro when he takes the ball in Game 5 Wednesday against Yankee-killer Dallas Keuchel, hoping to continue his playoff resurgence.
The longer the Yankees’ postseason goes on, the easier Masahiro Tanaka can put a disappointing regular season behind him.
The right-hander will start Game 5 of the ALCS on Wednesday in The Bronx against the Astros, with the series tied 2-2, looking for a third straight solid outing in the playoffs.
He tossed seven scoreless innings against the Indians in Game 3 of the ALDS that helped the Yankees get back into that series and then limited Houston to a pair of runs over six innings in a Game 1 defeat in the ALCS. He’s walked just two and struck out 10 in the two appearances.
“He’s a very good pitcher,’’ said Houston’s Dallas Keuchel, who will take the mound for the Astros on Wednesday and outpitched Tanaka in Game 1. “And if it weren’t for some extraordinary performances we’d be singing his praises multiple times.”
It’s a stark contrast from some of the regular season, when Tanaka provided awful results.
Tanaka didn’t get his ERA un- der 5.00 until August — and although he pitched considerably better in the second half, Tanaka gave up seven runs twice in a three-start span in September as the Yankees attempted to figure out the best amount of rest between outings.
He’ll be pitching on regular four days’ rest for a second consecutive start on Wednesday.
Despite the Yankees’ preference to at least occasionally give Tanaka more time off, he’s actually pitched his best on regular rest this season.
“I feel comfortable pitching with four days’ rest,’’ Tanaka said through an interpreter. “Obviously, I’ve done that through the season. And on top of that, I’ve been here for four years and done that, as well. So, yes, I do feel comfortable. … I’ve been here for some time and I’m not even conscious about that anymore.”
What could be more of a concern is the injury he suffered on Friday against the Astros, when he took a liner from Josh Reddick off his left thigh.
Tanaka said he was still getting treatment on his thigh on Tuesday, but insisted it wouldn’t be a factor.
“It’s getting better every day,’’ Tanaka said. “I don’t think there will be any problem me pitching out there on the mound.”