Yankees: Masahiro Tanaka could be the key to winning the AL East

Wednesday night Masahiro Tanaka inched closer to returning to the Yankees rotation after making a rehab start for Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees have managed just fine during his absence, but if they have any hopes of winning the AL East they need him back and healthy for the second half.

It’s been close a to a month since Tanaka landed on the DL back on June 9th with two strained hamstrings he suffered running the bases during interleague play against the Mets. Before he went down Tanaka was having another up and down season similar to 2017.

7-2, 4.58 ERA, 73 K’s, 1.09 WHIP, .222 BAA, 16 HR’s given up

Tanaka’s propensity for giving up home runs makes him maddening to watch at times but when he’s healthy he’s still the Yankees third best starter behind Luis Severino and CC Sabathia. He’s been so hit or miss the last two seasons but as bad he can look at times he can also flip the switch and dominate when he’s on his game.

That’s what he did last October against two of the best lineups in baseball after he really struggled for most of the regular season. Tanaka was unhittable over his three playoff starts and was as big a reason as any for the Yankees coming within a game from making it to the World Series.

The Yankees are probably going to get another starting pitcher by the trade deadline, but getting back a healthy Tanaka could go a long way as well. His rehab start Wednesday night went well despite allowing a first-inning home run and by all accounts, he should be able to rejoin the rotation next week.

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His return will be a welcome addition to a Yankees rotation that’s been sending two rookies to the mound over the past month. Both Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga have shown flashes of potential, but neither of them can be relied upon every fifth day to help the Yankees keep pace with Red Sox. Neither can Sonny Gray who has been even more hit or miss (more miss) than Tanaka since coming to New York.

They need Tanaka back and they need him to pitch like the front line starter we’ve seen him be in the past. He could be a true difference maker when he’s on his game and help stabilize the Yankees rotation as they get set for their second-half playoff push.

One positive that could come from Tanaka’s DL stint is the amount of time he’s been able to rest his arm. We all know about his arm issues in the past and how he’s been much better when he gets extra rest before his starts. This past month off could really be a blessing in disguise and allow him to recharge and come back much sharper when he returns to the mound.

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If that’s the case than Tanaka could be a deciding factor in whether the Yankees are hosting the ALDS or hosting another one-game wild-card matchup for the second straight season.