New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles: J.A. Happ vs. John Means

On a day when the Yankees should have been wrapping up a four game series against the Phillies, New York instead looks to take two out of two from their impromptu double date with the Orioles. A victory tonight would take the Yankees’ winning streak against the O’s to 17 games, and 16 in a row at Oriole Park. Gleyber Torres and Gary Sanchez, who combined to hit 23 dingers vs. Baltimore last year (14 at Camden), are chomping at the bit after having missed out on a home run in last night’s game.

J.A. Happ gets his first start of the year for the Yankees. The left-hander struggled in his first full season in the Bronx, posting a 4.91 ERA (5.22 FIP), with 140 strikeouts and 49 walks in 161.1 innings. He did, however, look good down the stretch last season, with a 1.65 ERA in September, and was arguably the best spring training starter this year, giving up only two runs in 13 innings. With Luis Severino out for the year and Masahiro Tanaka still recovering from a concussion, Happ will play an important role in the Yankees rotation this year, and a strong performance would go a long way towards solidifying a high postseason seed.

Facing him will be John Means, the second-year starter who represents the best thing that the Baltimore Orioles’ rotation has going for them. Their only All-Star in 2019, thanks to a 3.60 ERA that ranked 8th in the American League, Means was supposed to start Opening Day, but was scratched due to arm fatigue. In five appearances against the Yankees last year, including two starts, Means struggled, giving up 11 runs in 13 innings; in both starts, he could not make it out of the fourth inning.

The Yankees run out a lineup almost identical to last night’s, with Luke Voit replacing Mike Ford at first and Miguel Andujar getting the start in left over Brett Gardner.

For the Orioles, I’m honestly just wondering how Pedro Severino still has a hand, let alone feels good enough to play after the beating he took behind the plate last night.

How to watch:

Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD

First pitch: 7:05 p.m. EDT

TV broadcast: YES

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM

Online Stream: Fox Sports Go

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