New York Yankees: With eye on Wild Card Game, Yanks should turn to J.A. Happ
By Sam Friedman
Unless a miracle occurs, the New York Yankees will be playing a home game vs. the Oakland A’s in the one and done Wild Card round. But, who do the Yankees give the ball to?
The New York Yankees and A’s are sprinting toward a one game playoff for the AL wildcard spot. The Yankees sport one of the best records in the American League.
They have a better record than most division leaders in baseball. So, them having to compete in a play-in game is silly.
But, rules are rules and the bombers will face the unfortunate circumstance of abiding by them. There’s so many things I hate about the one game playoff, implemented just six years ago.
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
Every year, the wildcard games comes down to who is pitching for each team. If your team’s ace is rolling, you’re set. Right now, the Yankees are without a dominate ace. Severino is the clear-cut guy with the best stuff on the team, but is it smart to throw him now?
Severino has been nothing short of awful in the second half of the season. If this were the first half of the season, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
But, the season is very long, and things change.
For reference, before the All Star game, Severino was super human. In 20 starts, he boasted a 2.31 ERA, a WHIP of 1.01 and 144 strikeouts. He was either the favorite, or second place in the Cy Young race.
The second half of the season has brought us a monumental collapse for the youngster, who still has so much promise despite of it.
In nine starts, his ERA is 6.95. He has given up 35 earned runs in the second half, compared to 33 in the first half. He’s averaging 5 innings per start, and looks lost on the mound.
Again, this is not the end of Luis Severino, he has far too much talent. But, do the Yankees feel comfortable with him taking the ball in a winner take all game?
Aaron Boone, manager for the Yankees, has openly commented about the position being open for the taking.
Boone made clear, if the Yankees play in the WC game,obviously the expectation, who starts that game is very much in the air: "That's decided over the final 22 games. I think it comes down to who's pitching well...I think these next few weeks will kind of tell us who that guy is"
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) September 8, 2018
So if not Severino, who steps up for the Yankees?
The mound belongs to J.A. Happ in that game.
In his seven starts for the Yankees, five have been quality. He has only been bad for one game, vs. the Tigers, and that wasn’t a total melt down.
He has not dazzled with a 97+ mph fastball like Severino does, but Happ keeps his pitches away from the meat of the strike zone.
Of the 2,661 pitches he has thrown, 1,413 have been away from the middle of the plate. This keeps opponents from making strong contact.
Happ’s ability to paint the strike zone and get clutch outs compliments well with insane lineup that the Yanks have.
Next. What makes this month more special than usual in the Bronx?. dark
All that, along with the stellar bullpen, can lead the Yankees past the A’s at the end of September and propel them into the ALDS.