Quote (KrWWW @ Apr 4 2014 02:41pm)
why/how is Tanaka #4?
Two factors played into it.
1. They didn't want Kuroda and Tanaka pitching back to back, as Bryn mentioned. The reasoning for that is because they have very similar pitching styles as they are both fastball/slider/splitter pitchers. Hitters tend to adjust to a certain style of pitching after a while and this assures that the opponents offense gets a different look in between.
2. Yankees are trying to ease Tanaka into a 5-day pitching schedule after being on a 7-day schedule in Japan. After this series, the Yankees have an off day which allows him to get 6-days rest until his next start.
The slot in the rotation means very little in the long run. It's going to be completely different in a couple of months anyways due to rainouts, offdays, etc..
Quote (BRYNihg24 @ Apr 4 2014 02:55pm)
Because they didn't want Kuroda and Tanaka to be right after eachother (idk why)
Idk why Kuroda is #2 tho
Kuroda should be the #1 but more than skill plays into rotation slotting. Seniority and reputation are big factors.
This post was edited by HIROK on Apr 4 2014 04:52pm