New York Yankees: Top 15 Moments of the 2017 Season
By Sean Dyer
13. Masahiro Tanaka Strikes Out Career-High 15 in Final Regular Season Start
Masahiro Tanaka had an uneven 2017 season, to say the least. There were times when he was alternating seven-run outings with shutdown performances.
Tanaka finished the regular season on a high note, however, as he struck out a career-high 15 batters and dominated the Toronto Blue Jays lineup.
This was a big moment because it gave the New York Yankees hope heading into the postseason that Tanaka could pitch like he has so many times over the past four seasons.
That final regular season start was a sign of things to come. In three postseason starts, Tanaka had an ERA of 0.90, surrendering just ten hits and three walks while striking out 18.
Tanaka’s dominant postseason makes his contract opt-out decision even harder to predict but should motivate the New York Yankees to find a way to keep him around.
Hopefully, Masahiro Tanaka returns to New York and his 15-strikeout final regular season start and playoff performance are a sign of things to come.