Though he’s yet to have the opportunity in his 10-year major league career, Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ has a pretty good idea of what he’s going to face Thursday afternoon at the Rogers Centre.
And he can’t wait for the shot to face the powerhouse New York Yankees in his first opening-day start.
“I think it’s going to be intense, a sellout, playoff-type atmosphere,” Happ said. “I’m going to control what I control but I know there’s going to be a lot of excitement and anxiety going into it.
“I’m just going to prepare and feel confident in my preparation and try to have fun with it.”
Though Happ got the start in part because of some shoulder inflammation suffered by Marcus Stroman early in spring training, he’s certainly deserving of what is considered a ceremonial honour.
Happ, who was a 20-game winner two seasons ago, says he’s doing his best not to be daunted by the powerhouse Yankees lineup.
“I try not to get too caught up in it,” Happ said. “It is a big thing and they certainly have one of the best lineups in the whole league for sure.
“We’ll prepare and have ideas of how we want to go out there and do it, but at the same time go out there and compete and feel what I’m seeing with my eyes.
“I’ll try not to get caught up in the potential that they certainly have.”
The good news for Happ is that he was one of the most efficient pitchers in baseball last season in terms of surrendering the long ball.
“It’s a difficult thing nowadays especially in these ball parks against these lineups,” Happ said. “Guys are just getting bigger and stronger it seems and balls are flying out. You just try to limit damage, limit those big innings, that’s one way to have some success.”