Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled to start Game One of the ALCS, said Aaron Boone to members of the media on Friday evening. The team deviated from its ALDS rotation to get Tanaka the ball in Minute Maid Park against the Astros.
Tanaka, 30, pitched to a 4.45 ERA (4.27 FIP) across 182 innings in 2019. The right-hander pitched significantly better at home, with a 3.10 ERA (3.78 FIP ), than on the road, where he sported a 6.05 ERA (4.85 FIP). Encouraged by his strong postseason track record—including the club’s best start of the ALDS—the team entrusted Tanaka with the series opener.