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Marly RiveraESPN Writer
CloseMarly Rivera is a writer for ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN.com.
Happ, who went 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA in his last three regular-season starts, will still be an option for the Yankees if Garcia has a short trip, in addition to fellow left-hander Jordan Montgomery.
” After his first 2 starts of the season, hes been as great a starter as weve had and we feel that self-confidence with him moving forward,” Boone said of Happ. Hes going to play a big function for us. Like all hes handled this year.
Were sort of in an all-hands-on-deck circumstance, even though were just getting started in the series. Well do what weve got to do to try to win ballgames.”
SAN DIEGO– By taking the mound in Game 2 of the American League Divisional Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, rookie Deivi Garcia will make history. The 21-year-old Dominican-born pitcher will end up being the youngest player to make a postseason start in New York Yankees franchise history (at 21 years and 140 days).
And he will do so with his team leading 1-0 in the best-of-five set. The Yankees won the series opener 9-3 Monday night at Petco Park.
Regardless of only six big league begins under his belt, supervisor Aaron Boone stated he opted to opt for Garcia due to the maturity he has actually shown this season. According to research by ESPN Stats & & Information, the only other 21-year-old to make a postseason start for the Yankees was Whitey Ford in Game 4 of the 1950 World Series (21 years, 351 days).
” We deliberated on that a lot over the last numerous days,” Boone said ahead of Game 1. “Masa [Masahiro Tanaka] will now go in Game 3. So much like slot and Deivi in between [ Game 1 starter Gerrit] Cole and Masa was the method we wished to go.
” I believe the way hes pitched, and the method hes managed himself and managed every circumstance so far. I seemed like I wanted to go in this manner a couple days ago however wanted to continue to flesh it out due to the fact that we could. Eventually today, today, chose this is the way I wished to go. I simply felt [we had] a lot of good options there, [different] ways we could have gone. I do not stress over him not being able to manage it, mentally, mentally and all those things and I understand hes looking forward to it.”
The rookie right-hander concurred.
” Super excited,” Garcia said of his reaction upon hearing the news from Boone. “When they lastly informed me that I was going to get the ball for Game 2, what can I state? Just so thrilled about it. At the same time, extremely grateful for the chance and I will attempt to head out there and do the very best I can.”
2 RelatedTuesdays start will likewise make Garcia the fifth-youngest gamer in American League history to make a postseason start, and the youngest gamer born outside the United States to make a playoff start in the AL. In general, just Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Julio Urías (20 years, 68 days) and Fernando Valenzuela (five times) were younger in making a postseason start among gamers born outside the U.S.
Garcia, who stated he idolized Hall of Fame starter Pedro Martínez maturing in the Dominican Republic, restated that it was an honor to make pinstripes history. Consisting of a below average trip at Fenway Park, Garcia completed the coronavirus-shortened 2020 routine season with a 4.98 ERA in 34 1/3 innings pitched.
” Its been a journey of preparing myself and doing whatever I can to enhance as a player and keep enhancing every day. I was expecting a chance to enter into a game like this at this level and specifically now in the playoffs. I delight in the competition and I am extremely delighted,” Garcia said. “Getting to pitch in Game 2 wasnt something that I dreamt I would have the chance to do, however being around the guys here and learning every day, you start to comprehend that there is a possibility that you might get into a game, and you may need to presume the duty of taking the ball. My family is going to be seeing in the Dominican Republic and theyre gon na be supporting me from over there. It indicates a lot to get the ball in such a crucial game.”
It was a surprising decision for the Yankees, not only due to the fact that of the success Tanaka has had in the postseason, but also since of the reality that J.A. Happ has consistently addressed his aggravation and disappointment with having starts skipped. Happ at times implicated the Yankees of preventing him from beginning in an attempt to prevent his $17 million option from kicking in for 2021.
2 RelatedTuesdays start will also make Garcia the fifth-youngest player in American League history to make a postseason start, and the youngest player born outside the United States to make a playoff start in the AL. Overall, only Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Julio Urías (20 years, 68 days) and Fernando Valenzuela (five times) were more youthful in making a postseason start among gamers born outside the U.S.
Garcia, who said stated idolized Hall of Fame popularity Pedro Martínez growing up in the Dominican Republic, reiterated that it was an honor to make pinstripes history. “Getting to pitch in Game 2 wasnt something that I dreamt I would have the opportunity to do, but being around the guys here and learning every day, you begin to comprehend that there is a possibility that you might get into a game, and you may have to presume the duty of taking the ball.” After his very first 2 starts of the season, hes been as excellent a starter as weve had and we feel that confidence with him moving forward,” Boone stated of Happ. Were sort of in an all-hands-on-deck scenario, even though were simply getting started in the series.
