J.A. Happ Returns For The Opener As New York Takes On Texas

It has been eleven days since J.A. Happ made his first appearance in pinstripes but he had a good reason not to make his last start as he had gotten Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease.

The left-hander comes into the opener of the four -game series against Texas with a record of 11-6 with a 4.05 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/457918/ja-happ Manager Aaron Boone said Happ is no longer contagious from his bout with hand, foot and mouth disease and is poised to come off the disabled list and make his second Yankees start on Thursday."according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Texas right -hander Ariel Jurado who comes into the game with a record of 2-1 with a 4.02 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/642558/ariel-jurado Jurado has won two straight starts since being recalled from Double-A, allowing three runs over 11 innings in beating the Astros and the Orioles. He allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings in his MLB debut, a loss to the White Sox on May 19."according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

New York who is a member of the American League East comes into the opener of this four -game series  with a record of 71-42  and is second in their division while Texas who is a member of the American League West comes into the opener with a record of 51-65 and is last in their division. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/standings

As for New York's previous game they not only beat the Chicago White Sox but they swept them as well.

Entering Wednesday, Luis Severino had hit a rough patch. The young ace was mired in his worst stretch of the season, a five-start span in which he had an 8.28 ERA and could not complete six innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

But Severino put that behind him with seven solid innings in New York's finale with the White Sox, pitching the Yankees to a 7-3 win and a series sweep. Not only that, the Yankees' three straight wins come on the heels of their season-long five-game losing streak and sweep by the Red Sox "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

"For us to come in here and grind out these wins is huge," manager Aaron Boone said. "We're obviously in a tough stretch right now, trying to get guys rest as well, and for us to grind through these when it's a little bit difficult for us right now, yeah, I'm really proud of these guys for bouncing back." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

Severino earned his career-high 15th win with the big performance, and he was backed by a six-run second inning that was capped by Giancarlo Stanton's grand slam. "according tohttps://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

Severino started shakily, allowing two runs four batters into his outing. Jose Abreu, who tied Tuesday's game in the 10th with a two-run homer, contributed to the rocky start with an RBI double, his 33rd of the season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

The first inning has troubled Severino over his last couple of starts. Including Wednesday, he has given up a first-inning run in four of his last five outings, and eight first-inning runs overall in that period. :according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

"I'm trying to make good pitches, but I think the first couple innings, I'm leaving my fastball a little bit up to both hitters, righties and lefties," Severino said. "Getting those runs after the first inning, I felt I could do more, a better job, than the first inning. ... A lot of credit to the guys that helped me when I was in need tonight." :according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

After that, however, Severino really got rolling. After a visit by pitching coach Larry Rothschild settled him down, he retired 13 of the next 14 hitters and got through the next six innings with relative ease. His only other speed bump came in the fifth, when Tim Anderson hit a solo home run. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

Severino got through his seven innings on 109 pitches, working much more efficiently than his 115-pitch, 5 2/3-inning start against the Red Sox. He didn't walk a batter -- the fifth time this season he hasn't handed out free passes -- and struck out eight. :according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

Boone and Severino both pointed to Severino's slider as his most effective weapon on Wednesday night. Severino threw 45 sliders and induced 11 swinging strikes on his breaking pitch."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

"I really felt like the tilt on it was pretty good all night, especially as it wore on," Boone said. "Obviously, it's such a devastating pitch for him, so to see that return to form was good." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

Wednesday's outing marked a big step forward for Severino, and with Boston's huge division lead, the Yankees will need him to perform down the stretch. That said, Severino said there's still room for improvement, although he maintained that his confidence never wavered during the last month."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

"I was trying to do my job. I was 100 percent," he said. "It wasn't like I was 80 or 70 percent, I was doing my best out there, and I was getting hit. A lot of good pitchers have been through those couple of outings, so I just need to keep working and keep getting better." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Stanton salami: Stanton provided most of the offense thanks to his sixth career grand slam. The home run, his 27th of the year, capped a six-run second inning off White Sox starter Lucas Giolito. The Yankees sent nine men to the plate, and all six who reached base scored. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

SOUND SMART
The Yankees recorded their first road sweep of at least three games since April 27-29, against the Angels. New York is 19-5 against the American League Central this season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-gets-15th-win-in-yankees-sweep/c-289472724

As for Texas previous game, they beat Seattle.

Rangers right-hander Yovani Gallardo had a strong outing on the mound and continued to be backed by his offense, especially Joey Gallo, in Wednesday afternoon's rubber game at Globe Life Park. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

Gallardo allowed just two runs on three hits in six innings, and Gallo launched two home runs and recorded four RBIs in an 11-7 win over the Mariners. Gallo hit his 30th home run of the season in the third inning to give the Rangers a 4-1 lead, and he went deep again in the fifth. It is the second consecutive season that Gallo has hit at least 30 home runs. He hit a career-high 41 last season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

In the fifth, Gallo hit a solo shot that landed just over the right-field wall and gave Texas a 6-2 lead. The left-handed slugger has been hot since the All-Star break; he has nine home runs and 20 RBIs in his past 16 games. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

"I think my swing is starting to develop a little bit better," Gallo said. "I've always had good hands and fast hands, but I used to have some pitches in my swing that wouldn't let me get to it. My angle to the ball … it wouldn't let me get to it. Now, my swing is kind of leveling out when I'm doing well, so obviously that just makes it easier to hit that inside pitch, that up-and-in pitch." "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

Gallo said he's always felt comfortable against left-handed pitching. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

"I don't really mind lefties, honestly," Gallo said. "I've faced them so much, you've gotta learn how to hit them or you're not going to have a job, probably. My dad was a lefty throwing to me when I was younger, so I think maybe that helped me." "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

Gallo also scored Elvis Andrus on an RBI single in the first inning to give the Rangers the lead for good. Ronald Guzman chipped in and helped pace Texas' offense, recording two RBIs in a three-hit performance. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

It was all the support needed for Gallardo, who has now won four consecutive games. His seven wins since June 23 are the most in the Majors during that span. Entering the day, Gallardo also had an 11.57 run-support average over that span, which was the highest in the Majors."according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

"It definitely helps," Gallardo said. "I've been fortunate enough to get those runs that those guys put up on the board. ... Just going out there, sticking to the game plan and making the adjustments."

Gallardo overcame an early deficit in the first inning, when he walked Segura and threw a wild pitch that allowed Segura to advance to second and later score on a single from Mitch Haniger. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

Gallardo, however, settled in after the first, retiring nine of the next 11 batters he faced. It was a turnaround from his last outing, when he allowed a season-high nine hits and gave up five runs to the Orioles. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

"It's the mix and the experience of being in those situations," manager Jeff Banister said. "Very experienced pitcher. He knows how to maneuver his way through the lineup." "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
In the seventh inning, the Mariners rallied for four runs. Three of those came off reliever Alex Claudio, and he was later replaced in the inning by Cory Gearrin. Gearrin allowed an RBI single to Haniger, which cut the deficit to 1, but he would eventually end the threat. With two outs and a runner on first, Gearrin got Nelson Cruz to fly out to center to end the frame and preserve the lead. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

SOUND SMART
The multihomer performance was Gallo's third of the season and seventh of his career. His last multihomer game came on July 20 against the Indians. Gallo also has 12 home runs off left-handed pitching this season, which are the most for a left-handed hitting Ranger since Rafael Palmeiro had 15 in 2003. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
With one out in the sixth inning, Rougned Odor tripled down the right-field line, his first of the season. Odor went from home to third in 11.35 seconds, the Rangers' fastest time this season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

HE SAID IT
"Sometimes a lefty evens you out. It fixes you. Sometimes I get excited when they bring in a lefty to face me. I'm like, 'Good, I need this,' as weird as it sounds. That's not everybody, but for me, it kind of balances you out. You don't want to be facing the same guy over and over, or the same righty over and over. When you face a lefty, you have to stay in on it, and it kind of helps you sometimes." -- Gallo "according to

HE SAID IT
"Sometimes a lefty evens you out. It fixes you. Sometimes I get excited when they bring in a lefty to face me. I'm like, 'Good, I need this,' as weird as it sounds. That's not everybody, but for me, it kind of balances you out. You don't want to be facing the same guy over and over, or the same righty over and over. When you face a lefty, you have to stay in on it, and it kind of helps you sometimes." -- Gallo "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
With one out in the second inning, the umpiring crew ruled that Willie Calhoun wasn't hit by a pitch on an 0-1 count. Banister then challenged the play, and the call was overturned. Carlos Tocci followed with a double to put runners on second and third, but Jurickson Profar and Odor flew out to end the inning. "according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/joey-gallo-hits-30th-31st-homers-in-win/c-289433206

First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-08