Yankees American League Wild Card Lineup Forecast

Masahiro Tanaka is ready show the Yankees he was worth the investment. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Pitcher: Masahiro Tanaka

Other SP Options: Luis Severino, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Pineda, C.C. Sabathia, Ivan Nova

Analysis: Masahiro Tanaka isn’t exactly the ace pitcher we thought he was when we brought him over from Japan last year. Luckily, he has been more productive when he has started than the rest of the Yankees starting rotation the last two years. This year, Tanaka has a 12-7 overall record, and has 136 strikeouts. Additionally, he has a 3.38 ERA which is not great, but not bad either, and has stayed mostly healthy this year by avoiding the catastrophic elbow injury people are bracing for.

He has been dealing with a hamstring injury of late, so that is something to keep an eye on, but I don’t think it will limit him by the time the Wild Card Game starts next Tuesday. In terms of our other options, none of them really have played well in tough situations this year or in years past, and Severino is probably still too young to be forced into a situation with the whole season on the line.

Wallace Matthews of ESPN.com thinks Severino might have a chance to pitch if for some reason Tanaka cannot go come Tuesday. Don’t get me wrong, Severino has great stuff, but I think we all hope to save him for the next round. Sabathia probably would’ve been our starter years ago if we were in this game, but those games have come and gone. Look to see Tanaka take the mound next Tuesday.

Catcher: Brian McCann

Other Options: John Ryan Murphy

Analysis: Brian McCann has played pretty well this year behind the plate and swinging the bat too. He has hit .237 with 26 HR’s and 92 RBI’s. Considering he’s 31-years old and his best days hitting are probably nearing an end, he has done more than enough to be starting almost every game this postseason. The only games he won’t start are those that he needs a rest for in which John Ryan Murphy will do just as well in his stead. Pencil McCann in as the Yankees Catcher for the Wild Card.

Next: First Baseman