J.A. Happ Up First As New York Gets Another Crack At Toronto
Last week New York went to Canada and lost two out of three to Toronto.
On Friday night the American League East Division Champions will get yet another crack at Toronto who like New York is a member of the American League East.
New York comes into the opening game with a record of 100-54 while Toronto comes into the opening game of the three game series with a record of 62-91. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings
The former Blue Jay will start for New York. The veteran left-hander comes into the opening game with a record of 12-8 with a 5.07 earn run average. Moved from Thursday to Friday, Happ has been cleared to pitch after revealing left biceps tendinitis following his last start. Happ estimated he has been quietly handling the issue for about five starts, during which he's gone 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA He will oppose Toronto right -hander Jacob Waguespack who comes into the opening game with a record of 4-5 with a 4.70 earn run average. Waguespack will make his third appearance against the Yankees after allowing three runs in 3 2/3 innings in each of his past two. It has been a rough stretch for the righty, who owns a 8.70 ERA over his past four starts and seen his season ERA balloon from 3.63 to 4.70. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers
As for New York’s previous game,
Seven years
That was the last time the team that dawns the pinstripes was crowned American League East Champions
After their win over the Los Angeles Angels that changed.
DJ LeMahieu and Gardner homered to support Masahiro Tanaka’s sterling effort, powering the Bombers’ fog-machine and strobe-light celebration one day after they spent a late evening in the back of their clubhouse, waiting to see if the Dodgers could take care of business against the Rays. Tampa Bay’s extra-inning victory kept the bubbly on ice, but LeMahieu’s three-run, second-inning homer off Andrew Heaney set the clinch into motion. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
“It felt like a big blow, and it was like, ‘All right, take it from here, Masa,’” Boone said. “It was just a good all-around night for us. No surprise that DJ would be the guy that gets it rolling in a big way. We had a feeling that he would really love hitting here, and as we’ve seen a lot this year, he drove that ball out to right-center in a big spot.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
LeMahieu’s 25th homer preceded a fourth-inning solo blast by Gardner, whose 26 homers are a career high. Cameron Maybin and Clint Frazier added late homers to increase the Yankees’ season tally to 292, including a Major League-best 112 since Aug. 1. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
“I've had more fun this year playing baseball than I ever have,” said Gardner, who added a two-run double in the sixth. “It's been a lot of fun to be part of such a special team. We've got a lot of work left and a long way to go to get to where we want to be.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
October reign
With the victory, the Yankees punched their 21st postseason ticket in the last 25 seasons (since 1995), with the club logging consecutive 100-win seasons for the first time since 2002-04. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
“You've got a team full of savages,” Aaron Judge said. “When you've got a team of guys that come ready to play every single day and are hungry and excited to be here, it makes for a great environment like this. Playing in front of these fans, day in and day out, they have our back. It's been one heck of a season.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
A likely front-runner for the AL Manager of the Year Award, Boone is the first manager in Major League history to win at least 100 games in each of his first two seasons. Boone addressed his club briefly before they splashed in the clubhouse, telling them not to take their accomplishment for granted.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
“One of the things that we talked about in Spring Training was winning the division, and that’s a reality now,” Boone said. “You think of a lot of people that contributed to this. Obviously we have bigger goals, but this is an important step and I’m just proud of the guys and so many people – some that aren’t even in that room right now – that have contributed to us being here.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
Tanaka time
As the Yankees face the prospect of a postseason that does not include 18-game winner Domingo Germán, Tanaka eased those concerns, rebounding from a pair of shaky outings to limit the Angels to Kole Calhoun’s solo home run among four hits in a seven-inning effort.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
“I feel like Masa’s in a pretty good place right now,” Boone said. “I feel like his splitter was pretty good. A big performance by him to go out and really take control of the game. His split was a real factor. I thought it was pretty sharp.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
Tanaka has not allowed a walk in his last three starts, his longest streak of the season. The effort snapped a string of eight consecutive Yankees starts of five innings or fewer, and Tanaka wrapped his regular season with an 8-3 record and 3.10 ERA in 16 starts at home. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
“Tanaka did what he always does. He doesn’t give in,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “He takes advantage of hitters’ aggressiveness. You have to wait him out offensively, but it’s hard to do.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
Not done yet
While the Yankees have secured the AL East for the 19th time since divisional play began in 1969, they will continue to pursue the top record in the AL, battling the Astros (100-53) for home-field advantage. Houston was idle Thursday. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
“We want to keep racking up wins,” Boone said. “That’s the goal. We’ll strike that balance between making sure we take care of our guys, especially some of our guys that are nicked up. But we’re coming to try to win these games.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-win-american-league-east-title
Meanwhile Los Angeles not only lost the finale but the series as well.
Angels manager Brad Ausmus said recently he didn’t want to witness the Yankees winning their American League East title. His wish didn’t come true Thursday night. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney had problems with the long ball, and it proved costly as the Halos lost to the Yanks, 9-1, at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
“I’ve seen this stuff before,” Ausmus said. “I would rather it not happen while we were here, but it happened. We’ll jump on the plane and move on.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
Unfortunately for Ausmus and the Halos, Heaney lasted five-plus innings and allowed six runs on five hits and three walks. The first four runs were scored by the long ball. In the second inning, second baseman DJ LeMahieu put Los Angeles behind the eight-ball when he hit a three-run homer. Heaney was looking to throw his changeup down and away, but it went right down the middle of the plate. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
Two innings later, New York added to the scoring when Brett Gardner hit a solo shot over the right-field wall. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
Instead of talking about Heaney’s disappointing night on the mound, Ausmus decided to talk about his future. The skipper believes good things will happen to the left-hander. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
“Today, the three-run homer hurt him. Other than a couple of mistakes, he pitched pretty well. His runs ended up scoring after the fact,” Ausmus said. “He still has the ability to get the swing and miss on the fastball, which isn’t very common. He was able to get some good breaking balls and get some swings and misses. I still see a guy that has the ability to dominate hitters.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
Heaney was out of the game when the Yankees scored two more runs in the sixth inning. Right-hander Justin Anderson allowed a two-run single to Gardner, but the runs were charged to Heaney. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
Heaney knows he has a bright future, but he has to cut down on the home runs. He has allowed 19 homers during his 17 appearances. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
“It’s kind of the story of my last few outings. It’s hard to stay away. It’s one pitch you would love to look back and take them back, but that’s not how it works,” Heaney said. “I don’t shy away from throwing strikes. I don’t shy away from pounding the strike zone. Those kinds of things are going to bite you sometime.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
The Angels could do almost nothing against right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who pitched seven innings and allowed just one run. That run scored in the fourth inning, when Kole Calhoun hit his 32nd homer of the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
Tanaka did what he always does. He doesn’t give in. He threw a lot of sliders, mixes in the fastball and split. He takes advantage of hitters’ aggressiveness,” Ausmus said. “You have to kind of wait him out offensively. But it’s hard to do. He takes advantage of that.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/andrew-heaney-allows-6-runs-in-yankees-clinch
Like New York,
Toronto won their previous game as they beat Baltimore who like them and New York is a member of the American League East.
- How this Blue Jays squad, third youngest in Major League Baseball, conducts itself through the ups and downs of a 162-game grind is more what manager Charlie Montoyo is looking for in evaluating his roster. The results are important, too, but the rebuilding circumstances have created the need for evaluation of a different variety. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
It would have been easy for Toronto to fold after Sept. 8, when it lost its season-high seventh consecutive contest. Few could have blamed the clubhouse if it had set its sights more fully on 2020, when the hope is that the roster will take a step toward competitiveness.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
But these Blue Jays have struck those possibilities right on the honker. Thursday night’s 8-4 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards was Toronto’s seventh in its past nine games. The Blue Jays have amassed 58 runs in those nine games after scoring just 15 in the seven games prior. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
“Our coaches do a great job of staying positive,” Montoyo said, “and keep working hard and keep playing hard until the end.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
Here are three takeaways from Toronto’s sweep in Baltimore: “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
1. Bichette’s health
One of the few down notes of the series was the unfortunate events that unfolded for Bo Bichette on Thursday. The rookie shortstop took a 92.9-mph sinker off the brim of his helmet in the sixth inning. A tense moment was quelled when he popped back to his feet quickly before remaining in the game, but he was removed after concussion-like symptoms set in one inning later, Montoyo said.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
Bichette will be reevaluated Friday ahead of the series opener in New York as per MLB’s concussion protocol. He is considered day to day. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
So came about a premature end to what was an otherwise rough series for Bichette -- but only by his standards. Though he continues to rank near the top of the American League in several offensive categories, Bichette's 3-for-12 series was a far cry from the .315/.355/.592 slash line he carried into Baltimore. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
It's probably nothing to be alarmed about, but it's anyone’s guess how much time Bichette will miss.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
2. Kay’s winding path to victory
There was hardly anything about Anthony Kay’s first career win Thursday that went as he expected: the team, the location, pitching behind an opener, the beer shower that followed. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
But other than the fermented particles in his hair that he’ll need to eradicate, Kay -- Toronto’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, who was acquired in the Marcus Stroman deal with the Mets -- will take the night in stride, knowing that the first is behind him, with hopefully more to follow. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
What Kay liked most about his performance -- in which he allowed four hits, two runs and one walk in four innings with three strikeouts behind opener Wilmer Font -- was walking just a single batter for the second consecutive game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
Kay was particularly sharp with his changeup, inducing six swinging strikes on just 13 tosses. But it was on that pitch, too, that the O's first run scored. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
“If you make mistakes, they're going to hit the good ones,” Kay said. “You saw [Trey] Mancini today. I threw him two good changeups, and then he swung right through it. Then I tried to put him away with another one and kind of hung it a little bit, and that’s the one he drove into right-centre field.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
So consider Kay’s night a microcosm of the roster: Learn as you play. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
3. Baby Birds unite
Thursday marked one of the small handful of times this year that the Blue Jays have had the core quartet of their “Baby Birds” -- Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. -- in the lineup at the same time. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
But it isn't just them who have continued to break out as the season has progressed. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
Consider these stat lines from the three-game series: “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
• Biggio: 8-for-16 with two homers, eight RBIs and his magical Tuesday night cycle. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
• Gurriel: Three RBIs and a homer while recovering from a left quad strain. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
• Guerrero: 6-for-14, with his .491 batting average against the Orioles topping the Major Leagues against a single opponent “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
• Rowdy Tellez: Reached base in 6 of 13 plate appearances with four runs scored. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
• Randal Grichuk: Three hits -- all for extra bases (two homers, one double) -- and five extra-base hits in his past four games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
“A lot of wins,” Montoyo said. “That brings a smile to my face.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-beat-orioles-seventh-win-in-nine-games
First pitch is set for 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Yes and SNET.