J.A. Happ Tabbed For Opener As New York Visits Tampa Bay

The two teams that are in first and second place in the American League East standings will open a four game series on the day that we celebrate America’s birthday as New York who is leading the division visits Tropicana Field where they will take on Tampa Bay who is 6.5 games back of New York in the division.

New York comes into the game with a record of 55-29 while Tampa Bay comes into the game with a record of 50-37. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

J.A. Happ will start the opening game for New York. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 7-4 with a 5.23 earn run average. Happ will look to rebound from his last start, when he allowed eight runs in four innings against the Astros. He faced the Rays in the start before that, allowing two runs in five innings. He will oppose Tampa Bay right -hander Yonny Chirinos who like J.A. Happ comes into the opening game with a record of 7-4 but has a different earn run average then J.A. Happ at 3.10. In 11 starts this season, Chirinos is 4-4 with a 2.79 ERA. The right-hander has made three appearances against the Yankees this season, going 1-1 with a 3.07 ERA. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for New York’s previous game,

They bounced back in the finale against the Mets and split the Subway Series.

The Yankees beat the Mets, 5-1, at Citi Field on Wednesday night in Domingo Germán's return from the injured list. German had been sidelined with a left hip flexor strain since early June. German said after the game that he did not feel the injury at all during his outing. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

“Stuff, tempo, command, everything. That was the good, dominant version of Domingo we saw so much the first couple months of the season,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It was exciting to see him pitch that well.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

German, who notched his 10th victory, allowed just one run over six innings, striking out six batters while not issuing a walk. He threw 80 pitches, which matched up with the pitch-count range Boone mentioned before the game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

For him to be that efficient, get us through six innings like he did, great having him back and really, really excited for him that he came out and pitched so well,” Boone said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

German allowed a leadoff home run to Jeff McNeil, but settled down from there, allowing just four more hits over his six innings, with a double to Pete Alonso being the only other hit for extra bases. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

“First pitch, McNeil takes him deep, and you kind of watch him react to it, and there’s no reaction,” Boone said. “It’s just like, ‘OK, start making pitches.’ And he’s done a really good job of that, I feel like, not getting emotionally distracted by good things that happen on the mound or even in times when he’s struggled a little bit. He’s really been under control, and I think tonight he certainly was.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

McNeil acknowledged after the game how good German was after that first pitch. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

"He mixed really well,” McNeil said. “He threw a lot of offspeed pitches, and that kept you honest with his fastball. He was locating. He did really well.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

German got off to a sparkling start this season for the Yankees, posting a 9-1 record and a 2.60 ERA in his first 10 outings -- nine starts and a two-inning relief appearance. But in his final three starts before being placed on the injured list, he had an 8.59 ERA in 14 2/3 innings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

Based on his results on Wednesday, it appears he’s back to being the pitcher he was early in the season, at least for now. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

The Yankees provided German with plenty of offense, getting out to a 2-0 lead before German even took the mound on first-inning RBI hits from Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres. They tacked on later in the game on back-to-back home runs from Didi Gregorius and Gio Urshela in the sixth, as well as another RBI single from Torres in the seventh. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

Urshela dazzles on defense, stays in game after injury scare

Urshela has had a knack for magnificent defense at third base this season, and Wednesday was no exception as Urshela made a handful of spectacular plays, including one where he threw from a seated position. Not only that, but he also knocked his seventh homer of the year in the sixth inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

“If there was a camera on me in the dugout [as Urshela made his plays], you would’ve seen a lot of excitement,” Boone said. “It was special. Some big-time plays over there by him. We’ve seen it all year. We’ve seen him make some really, really special plays that not a lot of guys do, frankly. And then swinging the bat really well tonight, big homer to extend the lead. He was great.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

However, that home run almost took away Urshela’s chances at more defensive wizardry -- including that seated-position play, which came in the eighth. While rounding the bases on the home run, Urshela felt his left glute tighten up, and he went down for treatment after reaching the dugout.

Boone said that he initially thought they were taking him out of the game but was told to wait, and Urshela emerged from the clubhouse and took the field after some stretching with a trainer. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

“That made it more impressive … that play he made from the seat of his pants followed that, where he was a little banged up out there,” Boone said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

German wasn’t in the game for the eighth-inning play, but he also benefited from Urshela’s defense earlier in the game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

“In my humble opinion, I think he’s a candidate to win the Gold Glove there at third base,” German said through a translator. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-yankees-beat-mets

Unlike New York who won their previous game Tampa Bay lost their previous game as they lost to Baltimore who like New York is a member of the American League East.

José Alvarado’s struggles this season continued on Wednesday in the Rays' 9-6 loss to the Orioles at Tropicana Field. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

Alvarado, who was making just his third appearance since returning from the restricted list, walked Anthony Santander on five pitches to begin the ninth inning. Following the walk, things snowballed on Alvarado and the Rays, as the left-hander saw his ERA balloon from 3.20 to 4.85 after allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

We have to get him right,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “[He] just doesn’t have a consistent release point right now. I trust Jose, [pitching coach Kyle Snyder], everybody involved, myself, to do whatever we can to get him right, because he certainly didn’t look the part tonight.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

Tampa Bay has no concern about the level of stuff that Alvarado possesses, but the next step will be helping the power left-hander get a better feel for his delivery. On Wednesday, Alvarado said that the issue was the fact that he wasn’t working his back leg. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

“I think the [problem] for me is in the first at-bat, a walk,” Alvarado said. “I’m not working my back leg. It’s too quick, opens too soon. I feel ready to pitch.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

After a sacrifice bunt by Rio Ruiz got Santander in scoring position, Alvarado bounced a breaking ball in the dirt, allowing Santander to advance to third base. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

On the next pitch, Pedro Severino hit a ground ball to a drawn-in infield, but Santander was able to beat Willy Adames’ throw, giving the Orioles a 4-3 lead. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

Jonathan Villar continued the frame with an RBI triple that gave Baltimore a 5-3 lead. The inning only got worse from there, as the Rays had Villar out at home on a throw from Adames, but catcher Mike Zunino dropped the ball as he tried to apply the tag. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

Renato Nunez ultimately delivered the exclamation point with a three-run home run off Alvarado to give the Orioles a 9-3 lead. Baltimore recorded five hits in the ninth inning and reached on a fielder’s choice twice, sending 11 batters to the plate. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

Over his last 11 appearances, Alvarado has a 12.46 ERA. He has allowed at least one run in seven outings this season and has been charged with a loss in five of those outings. The five losses are third most on the team. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

“Part of the thought of leaving him out there was to kind of let him work through it right there,” Cash said. “The strike throwing came back, which was encouraging, but they certainly were on a lot of the pitches that he was throwing.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

But even with the recent struggles, Alvarado reiterated that he’s still confident that he will be able to work through some of his mechanical issues that have been costing him this season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

“I’ve got confidence for all my pitches,” Alvarado said. “That’s baseball. Sometimes you’re pitching good, sometimes it’s that situation like me tonight. You need to be ready for tomorrow." “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

The Rays’ offense mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning, rallying for three runs against the Orioles' bullpen, but Shawn Armstrong was able to get Tommy Pham, who represented the tying run at the plate, looking on a 3-2 fastball on the outside corner. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

Colin Poche was a bright spot, striking out five over two scoreless innings. In his last 10 appearances, he has allowed just one run on four hits and has struck out 17 over 11 innings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

“We had some good things for us,” Cash said. “Just the ninth inning is probably what a lot of people are going to talk about, which I understand, that was the ballgame. We just couldn’t stop it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

Brosseau launches first career homer

Michael Brosseau, who was recalled before Wednesday’s game against the Orioles, continues to impress at the plate. With the Rays down 3-1 in the fourth inning, Brosseau connected on a solo home run, the first of his big league career. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

He’s been fun to watch,” Cash said. “He’s come up here and made the most of his opportunities. He’s got a lot of whip in his swing and it looks like he’s on every pitch. I know the home run, that was pretty cool. I wish that would’ve came with a win, but he’s looked really good for us.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

Brosseau said he wasn’t sure if the ball would clear the fence, but admitted that it was a pretty special way to cap off his Tropicana Field debut. His five RBIs are the most ever by a Rays player through four career games, passing Delmon Young and Nick Ciuffo, who each had four. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

“It was a great feeling when I knew it went over,” Brosseau said. “It pulled our team to [within] one run at the time, and obviously to get that run across in a crucial part of the game, but getting the first home run out of the way is pretty cool.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-lose-to-orioles-after-six-run-ninth-inning

First pitch is set for 5:10pm from Tropicana Field. The game will be televised on Yes.