Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Yankees: Who Should Start Wild Card Game?

By Nathan McKenna

facebooktwitterreddit

This Tuesday the New York Yankees will face the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Game. The winner will move on to the Divisional Series and make, what I consider, the REAL playoffs. The Yankees have popped their champagne and celebrated, but as far as I’m concerned they haven’t made it yet. This game against Houston, a team which has beat up on the Yankees all year, is the most important game the New York Yankees have played in the last three years.

More Yankees: Is It Playoff Run Or Bust For Joe Girardi?

Despite all the injuries, bad bullpen decisions, ect., this game will be determined by the starting pitcher. Early word is the Yankees plan to go with Masahiro Tanaka. Some have questioned whether they still should go with Tanaka after the shaky start he turned in in his last outing. But if that is the case, who else could the Yankees lean on in this all important game? Michael Pineda? Luis Severino?

Pineda was also shaky in his last start against Boston, so the argument some have for not going with Tanaka would also apply to Pineda. Pineda has also been up and down all year, similar to Tanaka, but Tanaka has been in a postseason situation before in Japan; Pineda has never been in a postseason.

More from New York Yankees

This is the same reason, despite pitching out of his mind, Severino should not start the play in game either. Tanaka’s postseason experience in Japan shouldn’t be overlooked. He has preformed under pressure before and he can do it again.

There is also a few other reasons Tanaka should start this game, and by few I mean 155 million reasons. Look, I hate the argument of keeping a guy in the roatiton because he makes a lot of money (Cough. Cough. C.C. Sabathia). However, this isn’t because he is making the money; it’s what the money says, what it stands for. That contract says you are our ace, you are our number 1 guy. That means something.

The Yankees already feel like Tanaka is their guy for this game, and I think they’re right. His experience, talent, and support of the organization all factor into it, but there is no other way the Yankees can go. Masahiro Tanaka should and will be the starting pitcher for the Wild Card game.

Win or lose, there is not a better choice for this team, in this moment, for this game. Tanaka is the way to go. Get ready for Tuesday Yankee fans, it’s Tanaka Time.

Next: Where Are The Yankees In Our MLB Power Rankings?

More from Empire Writes Back

Home/New York Yankees