Yoshi Tsutsugo gets his first start of the series

The Tampa Bay Rays have announced their starting lineup for game three of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. The two teams have split the first two matchups in the best of five series. Tonight, the Rays will send Charlie Morton to the mound and he’ll be opposed by Masahiro Tanaka.

Tanaka started 10 games for New York this season, finishing the year with a 3.56 ERA / 4.42 FIP over 48 innings pitched. He continues to be a control specialist, walking just 4.1% of opposing hitters, while maintaining a 22.3 K%. Over his career, Tanaka has usually been a fairly even splits pitcher, but in 2020, he dominated lefties while righties had a .365 wOBA against him over 96 plate appearances.

Nonetheless, the Rays are rolling with a lefty heavy lineup, featuring 9 left-handed bats in their order. Austin Meadows gets a start in the outfield and is back at the leadoff spot. Meanwhile, the best player in the world right now sticks in the lineup, hitting third and in left field. Yoshi Tsutsugo and Michael Perez both receive their first starts of the Division Series, with Tsutsugo DH’ing and Perez behind the plate.

Starting Lineup

1. Austin Meadows, RF
2. Brandon Lowe, 2B
3. Randy Arozarena, LF
4. Ji-Man Choi, 1B
5. Yoshi Tsutsugo, DH
6. Joey Wendle, 3B
7. Willy Adames, SS
8. Kevin Kiermaier, CF
9. Michael Perez, C

Charlie Morton, SP

Bench

• Yandy Diaz, INF
• Mike Brosseau, INF
• Mike Zunino, C
• Manuel Margot, OF
• Brett Phillips, OF