Yankees Change Rotation and Bump JA Happ Out of Rays Series After Rainout
By Daniel Marcillo
Wednesday's game between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees was postponed due to rain and moved to a doubleheader on Thursday. This left the Yankees many ways to plan their rotation over the next few days.
They decided to move Wednesday's starter, Domingo German, to game one of the doubleheader and go with a bullpen game for game two. J.A. Happ will likely be moved to start on Friday against the Colorado Rockies.
Domingo German will start tomorrow’s first game, and the #Yankees will use an opener for the second game. J.A. Happ will be pushed back.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) July 17, 2019
Due to the ability to call up a 26th man for a doubleheader, the Yankees will likely take advantage of the ability to bring up another reliever. Happ has put together back-to-back solid starts, in which he received extra rest due to the All-Star break.
Over his career, Happ actually has an ERA of 4.48 with five days rest. On four days' rest, his career ERA is 3.65.
RT YESNetwork "J.A. Happ wants conviction on every pitch. Today was a good first step for him heading into the second half of the season. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/SkPUyCTf2T"
— Pinstripe Road Trip (@YankeeOnTheRoad) July 13, 2019
As Happ is getting up there in age, it is a good idea to give him more rest even though the numbers say otherwise. Judging by his last couple of starts this could be a move that works out in the Yankees favor.
Happ is not the only beneficiary from this decision. Masahiro Tanaka will also receive extra rest and the Yankees have always been careful to take care of Tanaka any way they can.