Yes, the Yankees looked far and wide for starting pitching and no, they didn’t snatch a Madison Bumgarner or a Jacob deGrom. Instead, the Yankees grabbed the Starting pitcher they were most tied to from the start of the season in J.A. Happ. They also came from behind and picked up Lance Lynn from Minnesota to replace the dreadful Sonny Gray. Fans originally balked at the thought of Happ being the solution to a mediocre rotation, but the veteran lefty is making those fans eat their words.

Toronto Struggles

Happ was an All-Star, so he wasn’t having a bad year by any means. Matter of fact, he was pitching quite nicely early in the season, spotting a very serviceable ERA of 3.48 through June 13th. However, that number quickly ballooned as high as 4.44 in his next four starts, nearly a full run higher. Happ then began to find himself again in his next two starts as he surrendered just one earned run in 8.2 innings before finally getting dealt to the Yankees. Overall, Happ had a 6.08 ERA in his final six starts with Toronto.

A Yankees Resurgence?

Since joining the Yankees, Happ has made two starts and they’ve both been pretty impressive. He went six innings against the Royals in his first start in pinstripes allowing just a single run. Yesterday, Happ made his second start with New York, going six innings once more but this time allowing three runs and punching out nine. Both of Happ’s starts in the Bronx have been quality starts, and that’s just what the Yankees were looking for when they acquired him.

Looking Forward

Happ is a 35-year-old veteran with postseason experience. He last pitched in the playoffs in 2016, where he had a very clean 2.70 ERA across two starts. His 3.72 career postseason ERA is encouraging and shows that he won’t fully crack under the spotlight, which makes him the perfect fit for the Bombers. If the Yankees advance beyond the Wild Card game, Happ has the tools to help the Yankees go the distance.

Happ may not be that sexy addition most Yankee fans craved, but he’s a very solid and helpful piece nonetheless. The Yankees are more than happy to take that.

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