J.A. Happ is coming off his best start of the season, but he’ll need to up his game further in Boston on Saturday.
The left-hander tossed six one-hit innings against the Athletics. Happ is 2-0 with a 4.24 ERA in 17 innings against the Red Sox this season, but he hasn’t faced them at Fenway Park since last year’s ALDS. That park does not favor lefties.
Opposing Happ will be the Red Sox’s bullpen, starting with Travis Lakins. It’ll be the second of back-to-back bullpen games for Boston, which sits six games back in the postseason chase. The Yankees weren’t able to do much against yesterday’s collection of relievers, so this will be take two, a fresh start.
To the lineups
Yankees (92-50)
- DJ LeMahieu, 3B
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Gary Sanchez, C
- Edwin Encarnacion, DH
- Gleyber Torres, 2B
- Brett Gardner, CF
- Luke Voit, 1B
- Mike Tauchman, LF
LHP J.A. Happ
Red Sox (76-65)
- Mookie Betts, CF
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Rafael Devers, 3B
- J.D. Martinez, RF
- Andrew Benintendi, LF
- Christian Vazquez, C
- Mitch Moreland, 1B
- Sam Travis, DH
- Brock Holt, 2B
RHP Travis Lakins
News & Notes
- Aaron Hicks’ season may be over. The outfielder has been slowed down in his rehab as he didn’t feel right, Aaron Boone told reporters.
- Luis Severino and Dellin Betances did well in their respective appearances yesterday for Trenton. Severino could be back in MLB for his next start, or both could resume their rehab in Trenton. Dellin will throw again Monday.
- Cameron Maybin is still dealing with a wrist issue, though he’s technically an active player. He’s made one appearance (as a pinch runner) since Aug. 28.
Today’s game is a 4:05 p.m. start on YES, WFAN and FS1. Rain shouldn’t be an issue with weather in the low-70s, high-60s during the contest. Enjoy!
RetroRob
The best Yankee postseason roster will have Hicks on it, but that’s only if he’s fully healthy and has had game action to get his timing down. That’s looking more and more unlikely.
If he can’t answer the bell, it will make some decisions easier. If Stanton can play the OF, then both EE and Voit can play regularly. Gardner remains in CF and I’m guessing Tauchman will then make the team as the defensive OFer for Stanton late in the game, and the back-up CFer. I don’t think there’s a place for Maybin, who can no longer play CF and isn’t all that great defensively at the corners either.