Rainout messes up Tanaka-Iwakuma matchup

KANSAS CITY -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi simply pushed his rotation back after Monday's rainout with the Royals.

The postponement ruined a much-anticipated matchup between Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka and Mariners hurler Hisashi Iwakuma.

Tanaka and Iwakuma were both Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Nippon Professional Baseball) from 2007-2011. Tanaka and Iwakuma are also currently two of the best pitchers the American League has to offer.

Tanaka leads the American League in ERA (2.02) and WHIP (0.957), while Iwakuma owns a 2.66 ERA.

Monday's scheduled starter, Vidal Nuno, goes Tuesday, Tanaka will throw Wednesday and Chase Whitley will complete the three-game series with the Mariners on Thursday.

"It gives all our guys and extra day," Girardi said. "We're in a long stretch, so that can be good."