The Yankees will go with Masahiro Tanaka on the mound for Friday’s Game 1, facing off against Astros ace Dallas Keuchel. The Yankees will use Luis Severino in Game 2, with Houston starting Justin Verlander.
Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound Friday night when the New York Yankees open their American League Championship Series against the Astros in Houston.
Luis Severino will start Game 2 on Saturday in Houston. CC Sabathia will start Game 3 on Monday in New York. Sonny Gray will take the mound for Game 4.
Gray has only thrown 3 1/3 innings since Sept. 28, so he’s scheduled to throw a simulated game Thursday at Minute Maid Park.
The Yankees made the announcements Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours after they knocked off the Cleveland Indians in the decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series.
Tanaka pitched Game 3 of that series, striking out seven, walking one and allowing three hits in a 1-0 victory in New York.
Tanaka will oppose Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel in the series opener. The two also met in the 2015 AL wild-card game, with Keuchel and the Astros winning 3-0.
Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Astros in Game 2.
