Tanaka stepping it up

The New York Yankees have not been producing the numbers the were hoping to have a quarter of the way into the 2014 season. After todays win, they are only one game above five hundred with a record of 20-19. They currently trail the Baltimore Orioles by half a game. With lack of production from big name bats such as Jeter, along with many many injuries, the Yankees have found themselves missing an advantage to create some distance between themselves and their slumping division rivals. Pineda, Beltran, Nova, and now Sabathia are all on the DL, so it makes sense that the Yankees are not gathering the wins at a frequent rate. But who is responsible for keeping the team in the picture? Though the Yankees may have had to compete and go to top dollar to sign the incoming pitcher, Masahiro Tanaka is delivering the on mound performance the team was looking for. Tanaka just finished up his first complete game shutout against the New York Mets to avoid being swept in the subway series. Tanaka picked up his 6th win, as he now sits with a 6-0 record, as he allowed four hits, while striking out eight batters.  Tanaka has made eight starts, posting a 2.17 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP while striking out 66 batters with his vast assortment of pitches. Tanaka does well fooling and getting his opponents off balance, as they are way ahead of his heavy breaking pitches and late on his high fastball.  Tanaka's location is clutch, as he looks to be the ace the Yankees needed, especially in this time of slumping bats and injured arms.  It will still be a battle for the Yankees to make the playoffs, as Tanaka can only be a difference maker once every five games, but expect his name to be among talk for the All-Star game, Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year Award.