ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If there weren’t several variables involved in the Yankees’ announced rotation for the upcoming weekend series at Boston, it would be easy to assume J.A. Happ would start against the Athletics in the wild-card game Wednesday.
Since Happ is starting Friday, he would be on regular four days’ rest for the lose-and-go-home game, and he has been the best Yankees starter lately.
Masahiro Tanaka’s past two starts haven’t been good since his signature splitter has vanished, and although Luis Severino has 19 wins and has pitched better in his past two outings, he is scheduled to start the regular-season finale on Sunday.