#Masahiro Tanaka

Before this offseason, the Yankees had given three nine-figure free-agent contracts to a pitcher. In each case it was an established ace (though not all in MLB). In each case it has - at least to date - worked out well. CC Sabathia received a seven-year, $161 million pact after the 2008 season and was central to a 2009 championship. Masahiro Tanaka…

SAN DIEGO - By now, it's pretty clear how much Mets owner Steve Cohen cares about the "Steve Cohen tax." Because he's operating as if he doesn't. He's blowing by it. After the re-signing of Brandon Nimmo and the addition of veteran reliever David Robertson on Thursday, FanGraphs projects the Mets' payroll for $322 million. So, yeah, that final…

Pity the poor Houston Astros. Now that Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander has left to sign with the New York Mets, the Astros starting pitching rotation must be in shambles. Wait, you mean the Astros still have the best 5-man rotation in baseball? At less money all told than the Mets will pay one Justin Verlander? This is like the time…

Pity the poor Houston Astros. Now that Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander has left to sign with the New York Mets, the Astros starting pitching rotation must be in shambles. Wait, you mean the Astros still have the best 5-man rotation in baseball? At less money all told than the Mets will pay one Justin Verlander? This is like the time…

Pity the poor Houston Astros. Now that Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander has left to sign with the New York Mets, the Astros starting pitching rotation must be in shambles. Wait, you mean the Astros still have the best 5-man rotation in baseball? At less money all told than the Mets will pay one Justin Verlander? This is like the time…

Now that baseball is officially back, it's time to chuck out our old full-season projections and, instead, focus on which teams can get off to a hot start, break ahead of the pack early, and hold on for dear life. Bettors must adapt to the new 60-game season as well. After breaking down several notable longshots at 20/1 or higher as World Series…

The New York Yankees (72-39), coming off their four-game sweep of the rival Boston Red Sox, look to stay hot against the last-place Baltimore Orioles (38-73) in Monday's series opener. Odds courtesy of Bet365; for a full-set of today's sports betting odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports. RHP Masahiro Tanaka vs. RHP Gabriel Ynoa Tanaka is…

The Oakland Athletics are 6-1 in their last seven home games against the New York Yankees. The Athletics hope that this trend of success continues when they host the Yankees in a three-game series starting on Tuesday night. Oakland is a+125 home underdog on the MLB odds in the series opener at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Homer Bailey…

After ousting the Indians in Game 1 by a score of 12-3, the Yankees will take on their Wild Card opponents again on Wednesday night. This Yankees vs. Indians betting preview will include odds, picks, and predictions for the Yankees' potential series-clinching Game 2 victory. Let's take a look at the odds for the Yankees-Indians Game 2 matchup,…

The Diamondbacks are rebooting, and it is hard to blame them. The wall-to-wall changes began with the hiring of Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa as chief baseball officer last May, and also include new GM Dave Stewart, new director of baseball operations De Jon Watson and new manager Chip Hale. While it remains to be seen if the overhaul from a…

The New York Yankees are a dream franchise to play in, for most baseball aspirants. Through their financial prowess and glamorous appeal, the Yankees can elevate a player to superstardom. However, one can't always live among the Yankees hype, defying all odds. Former Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is a testament to this fact. Japanese baseball…

Every few years, there seems to be a star player from Japan ready to make the trip to America to try their hand in MLB. And every year, the Texas Rangers seem to be involved in that market. Last year's sensation was Seiya Suzuki, now a Chicago Cub and before him were superstars Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish (former Ranger, of course), Masahiro Tanaka,…