Toronto Blue Jays J.A. Happ: Two Excellent Matchups in Week 7
By Bill Pivetz
The Blue Jays rotation is filled with some amazing talent. J.A. Happ has been the best pitcher this season and has two excellent matchups in Week 7.
The Toronto Blue Jays sit at third place in the American League East with a 19-19 record. The offense is starting to pick up, but some members of the rotation are not pitching up to expectations. One member is pitching lights out and has two more-than-favorable matchups this week. If you can, pick up J.A. Happ.
On the season, Happ is 5-0 with a 2.05 ERA, 1.160 WHIP, 30 strikeouts and 13 walks. His five wins have come in his last six starts and every start this season has been a quality start. He will look to add to that with two favorable matchups this week.
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His first of two starts in Week 7 is against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. The Rays are last in team batting average (.223) and 25th in on-base percentage (.299). However, the offense has stepped up in May.
In 11 games, the team has 20 home runs and 46 RBI. Though, they’ve done all that on a .219 average. Happ has faced the Rays twice already this season. In 12.2 innings, he’s allowed five runs on 13 hits and four walks while striking out 11.
If J.A. Happ can stifle the hot bats of Tampa Bay, only four home runs allowed this season, this could be another good outing and a great way to start the week.
His next scheduled outing will be on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins, a team he has not faced yet this season. This month, the Twins have a .233 average with 12 homers and 43 RBI. The team just picked up its ninth win of the season. With designated hitter Byung-ho Park leading the power categories, Happ doesn’t have much to worry about.
Surprisingly, the 10-year veteran is owned in just 63.6 percent of ESPN leagues. In a season where the top pitchers are struggling, more owners should be flocking towards Happ, and others. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any start. And while he isn’t a big strikeout guy, season-high of seven, he can get out of any jam.
Next: Indians' Mike Napoli Week 7 Pickup
Having a pitcher with two encouraging matchups in the same week is something you need to exploit. J.A. Happ is having the best season of his career and needs to be owned before it’s too late.