Giants vs. Yankees, 4/27

The Yankees figure to be able to duplicate last night’s hit parade this afternoon against Derek Holland, on the basis of Derek Holland being very hittable to start 2019. Still, 22 strikeouts to 7 walks shows his stuff is still working. He needs to settle in control-wise, especially against a pesky Yankees lineup that’s not at full strength.

They just seem to build them differently in the American League. Or else the Yankees just know how to find hitters. They had absolutely no trouble smacking the ball around Oracle Park, a park the team management has declared to be the worst offensive baseball park to ever exist and that no matter what effort is made to correct this, it’s impossible. Let the backups to the backup Yankees be a proof of concept that says otherwise.

Meanwhile, 36-year old J.A. Happ is coming off his first great start of the season (7IP, 2 ER, 5K @ Anaheim) after four rough ones to begin the year (7.23 ERA in 18.2 IP). For his career, he’s been solid against the Giants, but has one just once in his past five starts. That last start came as a member of the Blue Jays. Kevin Pillar was the leadoff hitter for the Jays that day against Matt Cain. He went 0-for-4. Will he fare better against his former teammate?

Of course, Happ’s most famous start in San Francisco came back in 2012...

... when Matt Cain pitched a perfect game. That was, uh, almost seven years ago.