J.A. Happ Helps New York Bounce Back In Boston

This season has been some what of an up and down season for the veteran J.A. Happ compared to when he first arrived via trade from Toronto last season when he had a record of 7-1 with his only loss coming to Boston in the American League Division Series.

This season he has record of 12-8 with a 5.10 earn run average. But could J.A. Happ’s season be turning around? It certainty looked that way in his most recent start against New York’s American League East rival Boston on Saturday afternoon.

Happ produced arguably his best start of the season in pitching the Yankees to a 5-1 victory on Saturday at Fenway Park, striking out seven while limiting the Red Sox to two hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Happ has now compiled 15 1/3 consecutive scoreless frames, spanning three outings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

“For a long time, I wanted it so bad, I was trying to feel for it a little bit,” Happ said. “I certainly can't just flip it over the middle of the plate. I'm just trying to find that medium space where I feel like I'm being aggressive and executing.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

Happ’s last two efforts have come against the Athletics and Boston, a pair of clubs boasting the offensive thump that the Yankees must counter in October. By finishing his season on a strong note, the 36-year-old could influence manager Aaron Boone’s decision-making when the club aligns its playoff rotation. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka seem to be assured of making October starts, Domingo Germán has enjoyed a 17-win season and Luis Severino may be able to log as many as four starts in order to audition for a potential postseason nod. Happ has seen duty in his career as both a starter and reliever, which offers Boone some flexibility.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

“First and foremost, he’s been a good pitcher in the league for a long time,” Boone said. "As he has worked hard behind the scenes, the confidence has followed.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

Happ faced the minimum through three innings, with Mookie Betts’ leadoff single erased by an inning-ending double play. Xander Bogaerts’ one-out single in the fourth -- his 1,000th career hit -- was the only other knock permitted by Happ, who improved to 11-4 with a 3.00 ERA in 25 regular-season games (24 starts) against Boston.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

“I feel like we kind of came today with a little bit of an edge, a little irritated, maybe, after last night,” Happ said, referring to New York’s series-opening 6-1 loss on Thursday. “We battled, they threw a lot of guys at us today. Our offense did a good job of battling those guys. It was a good overall win, for sure.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

Gary Sánchez stroked a two-run ground-rule double and Edwin Encarnacion cleared the Green Monster for his 32nd home run as the Yankees produced a four-run fourth inning off relievers Ryan Weber and Colten Brewer, two of seven pitchers used by the Red Sox. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

The victory reduced the Yankees’ magic number to secure the American League East to 11, and if New York can win its next two games, it will end Boston’s hopes of repeating as division champions.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

“They won the World Series last year and knocked us out [in the American League Division Series]. I'm sure it wouldn't feel bad,” Happ said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

Parrot walk

Encarnacion has two homers and five RBIs in four games since returning from the injured list on Tuesday, an encouraging sign as the Yankees consider how the slugger’s big bat could fit into their October mix. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

“I've been saying, when he gets hot, he is one of the best hitters in the game,” Happ said of Encarnacion, a former Blue Jays teammate. “I haven't seen many like him when he gets hot.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

The two-run shot, Encarnacion’s 11th homer in a Yankees uniform, traveled a Statcast-calculated 423 feet. Encarnacion said that he senses that the club has the potential to achieve special things over the next few weeks. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

“I think the biggest difference is how deep this team is,” Encarnacion said. “I’ve been part of some good teams, but there are so many guys here that are so talented. We have so many of those. I think that’s the difference.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

Decisions, decisions

Boone said that the Yankees have not decided if Severino’s next appearance will come in the Majors, but they plan to have that settled on Sunday. If so, Severino would be inserted as a starter, which would affect those hoping to log postseason starts -- a group that includes Happ. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

“I think these three weeks will be important in seeing where guys are at as we get into the decision-making process, how we’re going to match guys up and things like that,” Boone said. “I think it’s fair to say that these are an important few weeks.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

Happ has not given much thought to his standing as far as the playoffs go, saying that the Yanks’ focus is on winning as many games as possible. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

“If I can go out and feel like I felt today, I like my chances,” he said. “They'll decide what they want to decide. Whenever they ask me to pitch, I'm pitching.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/j-a-happ-throws-6-1-3-scoreless-innings

After taking the opener on Friday Boston who is in danger of not making the playoffs as they’re seven games back in the wild card standings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings had a setback in game two of their four game series against their rival who is leading the American League East.

The biggest reason Xander Bogaerts wanted to get career hit No. 1,000 on Saturday against the Yankees was a gentle nudge from his mother, Sandra Brown, that came electronically in the hours leading up to the game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

You see, it's Sandra’s birthday, and she had family and friends at her house on Aruba watching the game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

“She kind of texted me, like, ‘You gotta do it today.' I’m like, ‘My numbers aren’t pretty good against [J.A.] Happ.’ In the end, I got one, and it was nice.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

A .154 hitter against Happ entering the day, Bogaerts belted a single through the shift and into right-center in the bottom of the fourth to give his mother another baseball birthday present to savor, albeit on a day the Red Sox lost, 5-1, to the Yankees. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

“I think it was definitely a special day for me,” said Bogaerts. “My mom’s birthday. My first big league home run came against the Yankees on my mom’s birthday. A thousand hits against the Yankees on my mom’s birthday again is pretty neat.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

So on the sixth anniversary of his first career homer, Bogaerts got the 1,000th hit. In other words, those were a fairly fast 1,000 hits. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

The popular shortstop joins Tris Speaker and Bobby Doerr as the only players in Red Sox history to collect that many hits before turning 27.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

Bogaerts will celebrate his 27th birthday on Oct. 1. Doerr and Speaker are both in the Hall of Fame. That puts Bogaerts in some lofty company. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

“I guess that’s something nice for you to say,” said Bogaerts. “I didn’t know about those two guys. [PR director] Kevin [Gregg] just told me about it. I knew I needed one hit. I just didn’t know who it was, or anything like that. Obviously, those are some big names and some great players. Hopefully I can stay healthy and play many more years here.”

It is certainly set up for Bogaerts to play many more years in Boston. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

Back on March 31, as the Sox were leaving Seattle and heading to Oakland, that word broke that Bogaerts signed a six-year, $120 million contract extension. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

He has spent the ensuing months rewarding the organization’s faith in him by producing the best season of his career. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

“I’m glad he got it. He’s having a career year, and I do feel that there’s a few things he’s going to keep improving,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Like I said before, if people don’t consider him the best shortstop in the big leagues, he should be in the conversation.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

The right-handed-hitting Bogaerts has been an offensive machine since being promoted to the Red Sox late in the 2013 season and has helped the team win two World Series championships. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

Thanks to the timely contract extension that ensured 2019 would not be a “walk year,” Bogaerts is likely to collect many more milestone hits for the Red Sox. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

The new deal doesn’t even start until next season, and it also includes an option for ‘26.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

Though performance is never guaranteed, Bogaerts has given the Red Sox a lot of reasons to bet on him going forward. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

“This kid, in the offseason, he takes his time off, he goes home, but then he goes to Arizona and he works,” said Cora. “He shows up early in Fort Myers. He’s looking for ways to get better. Off the field, he’s been great. He takes care of himself, condition-wise. Games are over, and he’s in there doing everything possible to be able to bounce back for the next game. We see it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

And it is in the supposed dog days of the season when you really see it with Bogaerts. “according https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

“Some guys, towards the end of the season, they’re getting tired, they look actually smaller. With him, it’s the other way around,” Cora said. “I don’t know how he does it, but he’s so into his routine and he’s structured, and that’s what happened.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

There have been other milestones for Bogaerts this season. On Aug. 14 he smashed his 100th homer, in Cleveland. And on Aug. 28, at Denver, he amassed his 30th homer and 100th RBI with one swing, making him Boston’s first 30/100 player at shortstop since Nomar Garciaparra in 1998.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

But this one was the most meaningful, because it was basically gift-wrapped for the most influential woman in his life back home.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/xander-bogaerts-1-000th-career-hit

New York and Boston will continue their series at Fenway Park with game three on Sunday night where both teams will look to take the lead in the series after New York bounced back and evened things up on Saturday.