The Yankees acquired J.A. Happ for one big reason: to beat the Red Sox. In 2018, Happ went 1-1 against Boston with a 1.99 ERA to go along with an excellent 29-6 K-BB ratio in 22.2 innings. For his entire career, he’s 8-4 against Boston. For whatever reason, it seems like the Red Sox do not like to face the left-hander.
Happ, hopwever, bombed in Game One of the ALDS, his biggest start of the season. He went just two innings and allowed five earned runs, taking the loss. But why did Happ suddenly lose effectiveness after a 7-0 run in 11 starts as a Yankee?