Happ to start opener against Bronx Bombers
Jays manager likes the look of his pitching rotation
CLEARWATER, Fla. — With J.A. Happ leading the way on opening day, the Toronto Blue Jays have a rotation they hope will help them return to playoff contention.
And that’s part of the appeal of the assignment for the 10-year veteran, who will have the valued start for the first time in his career.
“I feel good about the last couple of years being in a lot of (big) games for the team and being relied on,” Happ said on Tuesday after manager John Gibbons unveiled his rotation and order. “That’s something I’ve always said. It feels good to be relied on. That’s usually a good thing. I want to live up to that.”
The fact that Happ has been reliable over the past few seasons is certainly a plus as they begin a critical opening series with the AL East favourite New York Yankees next Thursday.
A team notorious for its slow starts could sure use a credible showing in the seven-game home stand to open the 2018 campaign.
A healthy and rejuvenated Aaron Sanchez is up after Happ, followed by Marco Estrada and Marcus Stroman, who is rapidly recovering from shoulder inflammation.
Newcomer Jaime Garcia will kick off the second series against the Chicago White Sox on April 2.
“It’s a nice honour,” Gibbons said. “I think every starting pitcher in the big leagues would love that.
“There’s something about opening day. It’s just one game, but there’s something, the focus and everything.
“You’ve got to be good to get that. In my time here with Happ, there’s no one more deserving.”
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After his brilliant effort on Monday against the Atlanta Braves, Sanchez seems poised to return to his pre-blister 2016 form.
“It’s huge for the team and for him personally,” Gibbons said of Sanchez’s form this spring.
“For him it answers a lot of questions, and his finger has been fine. He’s going to be a key guy for this organization for a long of years. I know he’s pretty excited and feeling good.”
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With the Jays announcement on Tuesday, the first-round pitching matchups are set for the four-game opening weekend showdown with the Yanks.
Happ will face Luis Severino, who is also getting the first opening-day assignment of his career.
Next up it will be Sanchez vs. Masahiro Tanaka, Estrada vs. CC
Sabathia and Stroman facing Sonny Gray.
Overall, Gibbons likes the look of his rotation even though second time through, it will be lefties back-to-back.
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Estrada got his final serious bit of spring work done on Tuesday in a rain-shortened 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field.
The right-hander allowed four hits over five innings, striking out five and giving up two runs vs. the Phillies.
“I feel great physically and mentally,” said Estrada, who threw 84 pitches.