Empire Writes Back
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These New York Yankees players are primed for a big 2020 season

By Cameron Diebold

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays line up for the national anthem during Opening Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium on April 10, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 8-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays line up for the national anthem during Opening Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium on April 10, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 8-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Starting Pitcher: Masahiro Tanaka

It would be easy to say the prized free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole, will have a great season for the New York Yankees. Masahiro Tanaka should not be overlooked. In 2020 he will show fans and media, that he isn’t a back of the rotation option on this staff when everyone’s healthy. The all-star from the land of the rising sun will prove that he still has “ace” abilities.

The 6-3 righty will open this season as the Yankees number two starter, due to the injuries to Luis Severino and James Paxton. It’s a job that Tanaka has excelled in for many seasons. The Yanks need him to prove that he’s deserving of the role again.

Tanaka had a decent year in 2019, but not up to his standards. He finished the regular season with an 11-9 record, 4.45 ERA, and struck out 149 batters. That was close to an earned run higher than his career 3.59 ERA coming into the season.

One area where the Bombers counted on Tanaka for, and the veteran delivered, was in the postseason. He is as dominant a postseason pitcher as the Yankees have seen, pitching to a 5-3 record with a 1.76 ERA in 46 innings over eight starts in 2019.

I fully expect Tanaka to have a huge bounce-back year, where he proves himself to be an ace once again. The New York Yankees will rely on him to deliver wins and eat up innings in the number two spot. Regardless of regular season stats, one thing the Yankees are confident in is that Tanaka is money in the playoffs.

2020 Projection: Tanaka proves he’s the clear number two pitcher in the starting rotation. Additionally, he once again dominates in the postseason.

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