Stars align for Tanaka as he’s headed to Midsummer Classic
TAMPA — Masahiro Tanaka is as surprised as you are. The Yankees veteran right-hander laughed when asked about being named to the 2019 All-Star Game Saturday afternoon.
“I was just surprised because I never thought that I’d be selected. I mean, you kind of look at your stats and things like that. I was always making plans on what to do for the All-Star break,” Tanaka said through Yankees interpreter Shingo Horie before Saturday’s game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. “I think (my reaction) was similar to how everyone, including you guys reacted, I’m pretty surprised.”
Tanaka was announced as a replacement for Marcus Stroman, who left his last start with what the Blue Jays said was a “pectoral cramp.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone doesn’t care how Tanaka got there, he thinks his most reliable starter in the first half deserves to be there.
“It’s always good to know that your guys, who have played such a big role to put us in this position in the first half, gets to go represent us and the American League in the All-Star Game,” Boone said. “It was great news to deliver to Masa.” Tanaka was not the obvious choice to be an All Star — even to himself.
He is 5-5 with a 3.86 ERA this season. He is 16th in ERA in the American League, 15th in WHIP (1.18) and 23rd in WAR (1.8). Lance Lynn, who is second in WAR (3.8), could have easily been seen as deserving replacements as well.
But Tanaka obviously brings the international interest to the
event and the added interest of the very large — and freespending — Yankees fanbase.
The Yankees now have five players named to the All-Star Game roster and another who will be honored at the festivities. Saturday’s starter CC Sabathia will be celebrated for his contributions to the game on and off the field over his 19-year career, which will end after this season. Gleyber Torres was named as an injury replacement for Brendan Lowe on Thursday. Aroldis Chapman was named an AllStar on Sunday. Gary Sanchez and DJ LeMahieu were named starters for Red Sox and American League manager Alex Cora.
PEN PALS
It takes a village of pitchers to win a World Series, or at least 14-15 that can contribute throughout the season. The Yankees spent their free agent money this winter on bolstering the backend of their bullpen by bringing back Zack Britton and adding Adam Ottavino.
But just as important to the Yankees posting the best record in the American League in the first half of the season is the fact they have had guys like Nestor Cortes Jr. and David Hale to give them multiple innings this season.
Friday night, Hale and Cortes gave the Yankees four scoreless innings, allowing the Yankees to rally for an 11-inning win over the Rays. Having that depth is not a luxury, it is a necessity, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
Hale is 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA in 13 games since his May 21 call up from Triple-A. Cortes is 3-0 with a 4.78 ERA in 32 innings pitched over 11 games this season.
Boone is growing more and more confident in Hale and Cortes.
“I think that we all have confidence going out there, and that’s what allows us to do what we do,” Hale said. “But it gives us more confidence when they’re willing to put us in those situations.”
VOIT OF CONFIDENCE
Luke Voit was out on the field running before Saturday’s game against the Rays. It was the first time he had run since being placed on the injured list with an abdominal strain on Tuesday. The first baseman said that the abdominal issue does not bother him when hitting or playing defense, just running.
So, Saturday was a big step for Voit and the Yankees.
Voit said he expects to be activated off the IL on Friday, when the Yankees return from the All-Star break and start the second-half of the season against the Blue Jays in the Bronx.
Boone, however, was a little more cautious.