Yanks, Pineda Look to Clinch Series in Toronto Tonight

Last night, Masahiro Tanaka simply did not have his best stuff. Tanaka labored through the first two innings, throwing a combined 52 pitches. However, he left the game after the 5th having thrown 92 pitches, but managed to hold the potent Blue Jay lineup to just two runs.

In the 6th inning, Yankees catcher Brian McCann tied the game at two, driving a towering solo home run over the right field wall. 

Brian McCann. All Summer ’16. #LetsGoYankeeshttps://t.co/rVZW8FwUjR

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 13, 2016

Johnny Barbato held the Blue Jays in check in the 6th, not even surrendering a hit. Subsequently, Jacoby Ellsbury delivered a timely bloop single to left to give the Yankees a 3-2 advantage and the bullpen proceeded to LOCK. IT. DOWN.

Chasen Shreve began the seventh and got two outs while walking just one. Manager Joe Girardi called on the reliable Dellin Betances to get the final out and he did so emphatically.

RECAP: Timely hitting plus a dominant bullpen propels #Yankees to win over Jays in Game 1. https://t.co/Sa1IzDOclUhttps://t.co/40ZOoaShVc

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 13, 2016

Betances worked a scoreless eighth, which gave way to last year's closer Andrew Miller. Which was probably a good move.

.@a_miller48 shuts ‘em down in the 9th for his 2nd save of the year! #NYYSaves pic.twitter.com/F5n98El14Q

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 13, 2016

TONIGHT: 7:05PM Rogers Centre, Toronto (YES, RSN1)

Michael Pineda (1-0 10.80 ERA) vs. J.A. Happ (0-0 3.00 ERA)

Lineups:

Gardner and Didi get the night off for the Yankees and Hicks gets the start against the lefty Happ. This is where the acquisition of Aaron Hicks will really help the Yankees. They struggled mightily last season against left-handed pitching, and Hicks gives the Yanks both depth and versatility.

I would like to see some more production out of A-Rod, who aside from Saturday has not been all that impressive in the early going. Same goes for Chase Headley, who played well last night, but consistency has been an issue in the past.

On the Blue Jays side, Tulo and Russ Martin haven't quite gotten their bats going yet either. However that doesn't take away from the overall clout that the Blue Jay's lineup possesses. Look for Pineda to mix and match pitches throughout the night to keep these guys at bay tonight.

With Marcus Stroman on the bump tomorrow night for the Blue Jays, it would be nice for the Yankees to snag a win this evening. Let's keep the win streak alive baby!

GO YANKS