New York Yankees: Big Maple announced as Game 1 starter for ALDS

The New York Yankees will begin their 2019 postseason run on Friday against the mighty Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series. James Paxton will take the mound for the Yankees for game one at Yankee Stadium.

“I expect him to go pitch really well,” said manager Aaron Boone. “(He’ll) have a ton of confidence in his ability to do that. He’s got, obviously, all the weapons and all the equipment to go out there and be great.”

Paxton has been lights-out in his last ten starts of which he has won. He posted a strong 15-6 record during the regular season and was credited to a 3.82 ERA. In 29 games started and 150.2 innings pitched, the “Big Maple” fanned 186 players respectively.

The left-hander has also posted strong numbers pitching in pinstripes at home. Paxton was credited to a 3.35 ERA at home compared to a 4.33 ERA on the road.

“He’s really done a good job in kind of settling into being here in New York, being a Yankee,” said Boone. “I have no reservations about him not being able to not flourish in the environment.”

Masahiro Tanaka will take game two in the Bronx and Luis Severino will pitch the third game of the series in Minnesota.

CC Sabathia was left off the ALDS roster because he’s still dealing with shoulder troubles, per Aaron Boone. Sabathia, who is planning on retiring following this season, received a cortisone shot last week in his shoulder and did not respond well which causes his removal from the roster.