J.A. Happ To Start As New York Looks To Bounce Back Against Boston
Domingo German suffered his fourth loss of the season on Friday night.
On Saturday afternoon J.A. Happ who seems to have turned things around as of late will start for New York in game two of the four game series against Boston. In his last outing pitched ix scoreless innings of one-hit ball at the A's on Sept. 1. Happ walked four and struck out five in the no-decision. He last faced Boston on Aug. 4, picking up the win. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers
New York who leading the American League East comes into the game with a record of 92-50 while Boston comes into the game with a record of 76-65 and is in third in the division and is 6.0 games back in the Wild Card standings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings/wild-card/2019-09-07
As stated above,
J.A. Happ will start for New York. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 11-8 with a 5.34 earn run average. Happ is coming off one of his best outings of the year, spinning six scoreless innings of one-hit ball at the A's on Sept. 1. Happ walked four and struck out five in the no-decision. He last faced Boston on Aug. 4, picking up the win. He will oppose Travis Lakins who comes into the game with a record of 0-1 with an 4.70 earn run average. The right-hander will serve as the opener with the Red Sox going with a bullpen game for the second consecutive day. Lakins will be well rested in his first appearance since Sept. 1. He has never faced the Yankees before. Lakins has 41 starts in the Minors, but he has mainly been a reliever the past two seasons.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers
In this game New York will look to bounce back and even up the series while Boston will look to extend their lead in the series.
As for New York and Boston’s previous game,
German was thumped for five runs in 4 1/3 innings, including a three-run Mitch Moreland homer, and the Yankees' bats were largely silent in a 6-1 loss to the Red Sox on Friday at Fenway Park. Though German acknowledged that his curveball lacked its usual bite, he rejected the suggestion that it was a sign of late-season fatigue. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
"Like I've said before, I feel strong. I feel good," German said through a translator. "Every inning that I go out there and I log, I feel like I'm getting stronger. My body is getting used to it. There's no doubt in my mind that there's no need for me to skip a start or get extra rest or anything like that. I feel good, I feel strong, I feel healthy." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
For the time being, the Yankees appear on board with that assessment, even as German's odometer clicks to 136 2/3 innings. German pitched 94 innings between the Majors and Minors last season and has never thrown more than 123 2/3 innings in a professional season (2017), but the Yankees are still 20-5 in his starts.
The lackluster outing came as Severino fired three-plus innings for Double-A Trenton, with the righty telling reporters that he feels ready to be promoted to the Majors. While any of German's potential innings limits are expected to be removed for the postseason, Severino's return could impact German by prompting the club to skip or shorten his remaining regular-season starts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
"Moving forward in September, if and when we get more guys in the mix, that may happen," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I am not in a race right now, or us as an organization, to give [German] a break. We think he's strong. We think he's physically sound. We think he's thriving in his routine. We continue to watch it close and may alter some things at some point, but not right now." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
With Boston utilizing Jhoulys Chacin as an opener, then deploying six relievers behind the right-hander, the Yanks produced a season-low three hits. One was Brett Gardner's fifth-inning solo homer off Andrew Cashner, as they fell to Boston for just the fifth time in 16 contests this year. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
"They just did a good job of getting ahead of our guys and we just had a hard time getting things going," Gardner said. "We didn't have a whole lot of baserunners early in the game and they had a bunch of strikeouts, which eliminated our chances to score. We just couldn't get anything going." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
Boone said that he saw good life on German's fastball, including when he struck out the side in the first inning, but German was hurt by running into deeper counts. The Moreland homer came on a hanging backdoor curveball. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
"It wasn't as sharp as it has been in previous outings," German said. "I tried to make adjustments out there, but it was a battle with that pitch tonight. I couldn't keep the consistency of that pitch. At the same time, you still have other pitches to battle. That's what pitching is about." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
Brock Holt connected for an RBI single as part of a four-run fourth inning off German, and Xander Bogaerts also stroked a two-run double off Nestor Cortes Jr. in the fifth, with one of those runs charged to German. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
"It was just not my night tonight," German said.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
While Friday's start was largely an aberration, an interesting disparity does exist between German's home and road numbers. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
In 61 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium, German has limited opponents to 10 homers and a 2.35 ERA. Away from the Bronx, German has surrendered 20 homers with a 5.73 ERA in 75 1/3 innings. German shrugged when presented with the numbers, saying that his preparation is the same at home and on the road.
Boone noted that German had two injury-marred starts against the Royals and Indians in late May and early June that inflated those numbers. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
"I think his stuff is conducive to having success both places," Boone said. "I think the way he is, his demeanor, allows him to be successful. … I don't think there is anything pitch-wise that wouldn't let him be successful on the road." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/domingo-german-struggles-vs-red-sox
Meanwhile, After suffering a loss to Minnesota Boston bounced back.
As the opener and bullpen games became part of baseball lexicon over the past couple of seasons, the Red Sox had no problem letting those things pass them by, preferring to go with a sturdy rotation that helped them win the 2018 World Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
However, the attrition of a challenging title defense has left Boston manager Alex Cora with no choice but to go, as he likes to say, "all in," on the concept during this rivalry weekend.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
The plan worked masterfully for Cora and the Red Sox in Friday's 6-1 victory over the Yankees at Fenway Park.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
It started with a brilliant opener outing from veteran righty Jhoulys Chacín, who made his debut for the Sox by throwing two perfect innings that included four strikeouts.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
Chacin signed a Minor League deal with the Sox less than a week ago, and it was hard to know what to expect from a pitcher who went 3-10 with a 5.79 ERA for the Brewers this season and hadn't pitched since July 24. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
In fact, until his first pitch of Friday's game, he hadn't even thrown a pitch with a batter standing in the box since that last start for Milwaukee.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
"That's why I was worried about just throwing strikes," said Chacin. "It's not the same as throwing bullpens -- especially against the Yankees, they have a really good lineup. I was just trying to see the glove and hit the glove. After that, just forget about everything and try to have fun. Good experience for me to pitch in the Yankees-Boston rivalry." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
From there, Cora went to a collection of more familiar faces in Josh Taylor, Marcus Walden, Andrew Cashner, Ryan Weber, Darwinzon Hernandez and Bobby Poyner to mostly dazzling results. The heavy-hitting Yankees mustered just three hits on the night. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
"It's a little bit different, but it's September baseball unfortunately," said Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner. "We've got three more weeks of that. It's part of the game and it doesn't matter who we're facing or how many times we face them. Our job is to go out there and put good at-bats together and try to score runs and obviously do a little better job than we did tonight. So hopefully we saved some for tomorrow." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
What did all seven pitchers who appeared for Boston in Friday's game have in common? None of them were on the Opening Day roster. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
"Like I said in Spring Training, it takes more than the guys that you take on Opening Day to win a World Series," said Cora. "We proved it last year. I think it's, what, 27 [pitchers this season]? We've got 21 here [now]. That's the way it works. And, honestly, they've done an outstanding job throughout the last month and a half. We did it in Anaheim. They did it today. And we're planning on going tomorrow and doing the same thing." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
Saturday's opener will be righty Travis Lakins. Cora will go back to the traditional route on Sunday and Monday with starters Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez, respectively. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
It isn't as if Cora is doing the less conventional method by choice. Chris Sale is done for the season. David Price has pitched just once since Aug. 4, and there's no definitive word on when he will pitch again.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are just trying to keep some hope alive in their uphill climb to secure a postseason berth. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
"I mean, we're just in a position right now where we have to do this," said Cora. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
Right now, Cora has strength in numbers, if nothing else, with 21 pitchers on his September roster. Starting next season, MLB will cap rosters at 28 players in September. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
"We know it's going to change next year," said Cora. "We were actually talking about it in the eighth inning. But, right now, this is the way we have to go. We've got guys that can get people out. We just have to make sure we find the right matchup for them to go and attack guys." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
Attack they did on Friday.
Thanks to the shutdown pitching, the offense had some time to get into a groove. And Mitch Moreland, celebrating his 34th birthday, punctuated a four-run fourth inning with a three-run homer to right against Yankees starter Domingo German. Xander Bogaerts tacked on two more with a double in the fifth. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
"We're not in the best of spots, but everybody in here is continuing to fight and try to find ways to go out and produce and help the team win," said Moreland. "Obviously you can see all the extra lockers in here. I saw the picture on the website of the bullpen the other night. It's pretty impressive right now. All these guys are in here and doing everything they can to help the team win. We're going to give it our best shot." “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/jhoulys-chacin-red-sox-bullpen-dominate-yankees
First pitch is set for 4:05pm from Fenway Park. The game will be televised on NESN, YES, FS1.