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J.A. Happ will make his first career all-star game and Ryan Borucki makes another impact start for the Jays. TSN Baseball Reporter Scott Mitchell provides his key takeaways from the series against the Yankees.

GAMES 87-89, JULY 6-8: YANKEES AT JAYS

RESULT: Yanks win series 2-1
RECORD: 41-48

STREAK: L2

1—At age of 35, Happ gets first all-star call

In his 12th big league season, pitching for his fifth team, and now on his second stint with the Blue Jays, J.A. Happ has finally cracked the code to the all-star game.

The 35-year-old was named to the American League team Sunday night as the Jays’ lone representative, with manager John Gibbons delivering the news to Happ in front of the team in the clubhouse prior to Sunday’s series finale with the Yankees.

“Really, there’s no other way to describe it than it’s a dream come true,” Happ said.

Even though be might not be wearing a Blue Jays uniform much longer, Happ’s on-and-off dominance has been one of the bright spots and it’s led to a 10-5 record with a 4.44 ERA, a number that looked a whole lot better prior to his last two starts.

“It couldn’t happen to a better guy,” manager John Gibbons said. “He’s had a couple tough starts and he’s a little bit frustrated with that and disappointed with that, but that had to make him feel good today. And he’s earned that. He hasn’t had anything given to him. I think he’ll be a great representation of the organization.”

There was really no other choice unless you wanted to try to make a case for Justin Smoak or Yangervis Solarte, but Happ’s team leading 1.7 WAR and 10 wins end the conversation.

2—Young lefty impresses again in third start

As 35-year-old lefty Happ was being named to the all-star team, 24-year-old lefty Ryan Borucki was putting together a third straight quality start to begin his career.

Once again, he did it against one of the toughest lineups in the league, holding the Yankees to one run on seven hits over seven innings.

Borucki, who danced around trouble a couple times early in the game, walked two and struck out five to lower his ERA to 2.25 over his first three MLB outings.

It’s been an impressive start for the Alex Anthopoulos era draft pick (15th round in 2012), as he’s gone through the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers and now the Bronx Bombers with relative ease.

He’ll get another stiff test next week in Boston.

3—Milestone home run for Morales

Kendrys Morales has completely turned his season around over the past month, slashing .325/.375/.588 with five home runs since June 6 coming into Sunday’s series finale against the New York Yankees.

Morales added another homer Sunday as part of a 2-for-4 effort, and it was a milestone bomb, as the 35-year-old hit the 200 home run plateau for his career.

In doing so, Morales became just the fifth Cuban player to join the 200 club, following Rafael Palmeiro (569), Jose Canseco (462), Tony Perez (379) and Tony Oliva (220).

Even with Morales showing there’s still some life left in his bat, the $12 million he’s owed for 2019 and the fact he’s a DH-only option render him essentially untradable.

4—Yankees pitching can’t solve Smoak

Justin Smoak hasn’t been able to match his 2017 production, but he’s been far from a disappointment.

The average and power are both down, but Smoak’s 123 wRC+ still leads all American League first basemen — it was 132 last season — and he’s also sporting a career high .362 on-base percentage.

Smoak was a problem for Yanks pitching over the weekend, piling up six hits in 11 at-bats, including a three-run home-run Friday and doubles on Saturday and Sunday.

5—Estrada’s next start pushed back

Marco Estrada would’ve been on schedule to start Tuesday in Atlanta, but Marcus Stroman was instead listed as the probable starter, with Sam Gaviglio slated for Wednesday.

With the off day coming in handy Monday, the Jays are still optimistic Estrada will be able to take the mound during the four game series in Boston late next week.

Pushing the 35-year-old right-hander back will give him some extra time to recover from a left glute injury that limited him to just 12 pitches last Tuesday against the New York Mets and had been bothering since his June 22 start on the West Coast.

 

UP NEXT: Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park

TUESDAY: RHP Marcus Stroman (1-6, 6.50) vs. RHP Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.47)

WEDNESDAY: RHP Sam Gaviglio (2-2, 3.81) vs. TBA​