By Win Probability Added, the Rays were last favoured to win this game near the end of the first inning, when they managed to get two runners in scoring position. Shortly thereafter, a groundout and strikeout ended the inning in quick succession. Then, as the top of this Blue Jays lineup is wont to do, Devon Travis and Josh Donaldson reached base before Troy Tulowitzki brought the pair home with a long home run.
Tulowitzki would go on to have quite the night, batting in another two runners for a total of 5 RBI on the night. It certainly helped that Devon Travis added another single to his tally for the night, and that the bottom of the Jays lineup did their fair share. Despite ultimately getting zero runs, the Rays had their fair share of baserunners, getting five hits and three runners in to scoring position. However, a few timely out from Happ helped him coast to his 16th win of the season. Wins don’t mean much, but J.A. is the Blue Jays’ first 16 winner since Roy Halladay had 17 in 2009; his last season with the team.
After tonight’s start, the Jays starting rotation has also put themselves in to interesting statistical territory.
#BlueJays now have three starters with ERAs under 3.00
Sanchez, 2.85 (1st in AL)
Estrada, 2.95 (4th)
Happ, 2.96 (5th)— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) August 11, 2016
Hasn’t been done in the AL since 1989, when the #Angels did it with:
Finley (2.57)
Blyleven (2.73)
McCaskill (2.93) https://t.co/lqb5sBHwto— Matt Gwin (@Matt_Gwin) August 11, 2016
In addition to achieving another pitcher victory, Happ has continued his personal streak or strikeouts as of late. In three of his last seven starts, he’s gotten 11 strikeouts. All other Blue Jays’ starting pitchers have combined to do that just twice for the team all season.
Top Play of the Game by WPA
Wednesday’s top play of the game understandably came in the first inning, on Troy Tulowitzki’s aforementioned homer. With Travis and Donaldson already on base, Tulo’s homer gave the Jays a 3-0 lead, which they never came close to giving up. The homer increased the Blue Jays’ chances of winning by a whopping 24.7%.
Bottom Play of the Game by WPA
Wednesday’s bottom play of the game also understandably came in the first inning. However, as you may expect, it came from the Rays. Brad Miller came to the plate with Logan Forsythe and Kevin Kiermaier both in scoring position. A slow grounder straight to J.A. Happ ensured that no Rays runners would cross the plate, dropping the Rays chances of winning by 9.2%.
Up Next
After a short string of losses, the Blue Jays look like they’re back to being themselves again. That’ll be tested tomorrow as Toronto takes on the Astros. Francisco Liriano will make his second start for the Jays, while Joe Musgrove of the Astros will make his second major league start. Musgrove, funnily enough, was one of the players that the Jays gave up in return for J.A. Happ when they traded for him from the Astros. You can catch that game on Friday at 7:07 PM ET.
Lead Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports