Yanks set to unleash pen for Game 4
On Monday, Aaron Boone announced his plan for the “bullpen being unleashed” in Game 4 of the ALCS, and Astros manager A.J. Hinch intended to follow suit with a pen game of his own.
The Yankee manager said much of who is available for the planned pen game depends on how Game 3 unfolds after Luis Severino’s outing, and mentioned J.A. Happ as a potential factor.
“Depends a lot on what happens tomorrow,” said Boone. Happ, who started 30 games in 2019 and struggled most of the year with a 4.91 ERA, lost Sunday night’s game after giving up a home run to Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. It marked the 35th homer Happ allowed in 2019.
Boone didn’t name an “opener” for Game 4, saying, “We’ll kinda see where we’re at on the next day.” Chad Green has filled the role for most of the season, pitching to a 3.72 ERA in 15 starts and striking out 32 in 19.1 innings.
There is a chance that Wednesday’s rain forecast pushes Game 4 to Thursday, making Masahiro Tanaka an option on regular rest.
Despite Game 2’s outcome, Boone stressed that he has “a lot of confidence in our 12 and 13th pitchers.” The Yankees have a less traditional pitching approach, especially compared to Houston’s ace-caliber trio of Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke and Game 3 starter Gerrit Cole.
Meanwhile, though Hinch mentioned rookie starter Jose Urquidy as an option, he is also likely to go with a pen-centric approach. “Bullpen days are effective. It’s been proven,” said Hinch.
“It’s also scary,” added Hinch, acknowledging the unique challenges a bullpen game presents. “There’s a lot of pressure. You’re asking a lot of guys to be really good that day. The game changes or the game gets long.”