Fansided

Yankees fans shouldn’t give up on this team just yet

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 21: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium on July 21, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 21: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium on July 21, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 29: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on July 29, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. New York Yankees defeted the Kansas City Royals 6-3. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 29: J.A. Happ #34 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium on July 29, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. New York Yankees defeted the Kansas City Royals 6-3. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

3. The rotation will recover

It may seem like forever ago that J.A. Happ made his first start for the Yankees and turned in a gem. It wasn’t. His last start was all the way back on July 29. That wasn’t even two weeks ago.

Unfortunately, hand, foot and mouth disease has landed him on the DL. If not for Noah Syndergaard’s bout with the virus earlier this season, it would have been an unheard of malady. The good news is that it’s not going to keep Happ out forever. Look for him to be back in the rotation within the next two weeks.

Sonny Gray’s removal from the starting rotation is also a reason for Yankees fans to celebrate. He’s been a train wreck as of late. Lance Lynn was forced to come on early in relief for Gray against Baltimore and he staked his claim on his spot in the rotation. Pitching better than Gray has this season isn’t a massive ask of a player with Lynn’s talent. It’s a spot that should get better for the Yankees as the season progresses.

Quietly, Masahiro Tanaka has also been pitching better and better as the season has gone along. The Japanese ace is 4-0 with an ERA of just 2.36 in his last seven outings. If he can keep that level up, it’s possible he could be a real weapon for Boone in the postseason.

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