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	<title>Toronto &#187; Astros</title>
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	<description>Comprehensive coverage of the Toronto Blue Jays</description>
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		<title>Recap: Astros 5, Blue Jays 3; Houston Hit Parade Hurts the Hogtown Heroes</title>
		<link>http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2016/08/12/recap-astros-5-blue-jays-3-houston-hit-parade-hurts-the-hogtown-hopefuls/</link>
		<comments>http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2016/08/12/recap-astros-5-blue-jays-3-houston-hit-parade-hurts-the-hogtown-hopefuls/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Aug 2016 02:16:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jenn Smith]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Astros]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Musgrove]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=5481</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The AL East division-leading Toronto Blue Jays welcomed the Houston Astros to town for a three-game stint this weekend, having won six of the last seven contests against the Astros at the Rogers Centre. Francisco Liriano made his second start for the Jays and his first at home, up against Joe Musgrove. After two very quick innings consisting [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The AL East division-leading Toronto Blue Jays welcomed the Houston Astros to town for a three-game stint this weekend, having won six of the last seven contests against the Astros at the Rogers Centre. Francisco Liriano made his second start for the Jays and his first at home, up against Joe Musgrove. After two very quick innings consisting of just twelve and eight pitches respectively, Liriano lost the strike zone in the third inning, working himself into a one-out, bases-loaded jam that eventually resulted in two Astros runs.</p>
<p>The Jays got one back in the bottom of the inning, managing a run on two hits despite Musgrove throwing only seven pitches, and then another in the bottom of the fourth when Michael Saunders hit a solo shot to opposite field to tie the game at 2-2. The Astros&#8217; hit parade continued into the fifth when a lead-off single followed by back-to-back doubles scored two. A home run followed by a hit-by-pitch in the sixth signalled the end of Liriano&#8217;s night, who gave up five earned runs on eight hits on 95 pitches through 5.2 innings. The Jays just simply couldn&#8217;t get anything going off the Astros pitchers, stranding runners in key situations in what has become a frustrating tendency with this offense.</p>
<h3>Top Play of the Game by WPA</h3>
<p>The top play by WPA (.185) came in the top of the third inning when Carlos Correa singled to centre to score Teoscar Hernandez and George Springer, giving the Astros a 2-0 lead.</p>
<h3>Bottom Play of the Game by WPA</h3>
<p>Darrell Ceciliani led off the third inning with his first hit as a Blue Jays, a double to right field. Cecilinai advanced to third when Devon Travis singled to put two men on with no outs. However, Josh Donaldson grounded into a double play and, although Ceciliani scored, it did put a damper on the rally and was the bottom play of the game by WPA (-.087).</p>
<h3>Edwin Hits Number 300</h3>
<p>Edwin Encarnacion led off the bottom of the ninth with a monstrous 413 foot shot to left field for the 300th home run of his career. Edwin is just the eleventh Dominican-born player to hit 300 home runs in the majors.</p>
<h3>Up Next</h3>
<p>Tonight&#8217;s loss temporarily puts the Jays in a tie for first in the AL East, pending the outcome of the Orioles/SF Giants game. The Jays will look to even up the series tomorrow afternoon when Aaron Sanchez takes the mound against Collin McHugh. Sanchez struggled his last start when he gave up four runs on nine hits over six innings against the Royals. Sanchez has never faced the Astros. McHugh has not had his best season to date, but has fared well against the Jays throughout his career. First pitch is at 1:07 PM ET.</p>
<p><em>Lead Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports</em></p>
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		<title>Recap: Blue Jays 2, Astros 1; Bautista Hits Number 300 as Dickey Dazzles</title>
		<link>http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2016/08/02/recap-blue-jays-2-astros-1-bautista-hits-number-300-as-dickey-dazzles/</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2016 03:12:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Greg Wisniewski]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Astros]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blue jays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Edwin Encarnacion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Musgrove]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lance Mcullers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=5124</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An effective R.A. Dickey and just enough home runs from the veteran bats led the Blue Jays to a 2-1 victory in Houston on Tuesday night. The Blue Jays, having played back to back extra inning games, entered the second game in Houston a little beat up and a little short handed. Troy Tulowitzki remained [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>An effective R.A. Dickey and just enough home runs from the veteran bats led the Blue Jays to a 2-1 victory in Houston on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>The Blue Jays, having played back to back extra inning games, entered the second game in Houston a little beat up and a little short handed. Troy Tulowitzki remained on the bench with a bone chip in his hand, and R.A. Dickey started in front of what was essentially a three man bullpen, including the newly acquired and promoted Mike Bolsinger and Danny Barnes (who is not &#8211; despite my momentary confusion &#8211; Andy Burns, or, in fact related to Darwin Barney).</p>
<p>Jose Bautista opened the scoring in the top of the third with a bomb into the Crawford Boxes in left. The solo home run was the 300th of his career. The list of active players with 300+ home runs is now ten players long, and topped by Alex Rodriguez, of course.</p>
<p>Not to be outdone, Edwin Encarnacion destroyed an innocent baseball in the top of the fourth. The curveball that Lance McCullers hung ended up on the railroad tracks behind the left field stands. Statcast had the home run at 104 mph, 33 degrees and 405 feet. McCullers then left due to injury after inducing a ground ball fielder&#8217;s choice from Josh Donaldson for the second out of the fifth. The issue would be described as &#8220;elbow discomfort&#8221; by the Astros&#8217; organization.</p>
<p>R.A. Dickey was in control of the knuckleball in Houston, logging seven innings, allowing only one run on six hits, with five strikeouts and no walks. He left with a one run lead, as the Blue Jays were unable to solve Joe Musgrove as he began his major league debut for the Astros. He set an Astros record by striking out eight batters in relief. Danny Barnes followed up with an excellent debut for Toronto, allowing one hit to Jose Altuve, but allowing no other baserunners. Finally, in the top of the ninth, the Jays put some pressure on Musgrove, putting runners on first and second. They were unable to score an insurance run when Josh Thole struck out on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.</p>
<p>Jason Grilli entered the game in the bottom ninth as Roberto Osuna was unavailable do to recent usage. He ably handled his three batters and the Jays finished the night on top.</p>
<h3>Top Play of the Game by WPA</h3>
<p>Jose Bautista&#8217;s home run all the way back in the second inning gave the Jays the 1-0 lead and raised the win expectancy 12.2 percentage points for Toronto.</p>
<h3>Bottom Play of the Game by WPA</h3>
<p>Colby Rasmus gets the nod for worst play of the game, though he is mostly a victim of circumstance. Grounding out to lead the top of the ninth in a one run game reduced the Astros&#8217; odds of winning by 8.6 percentage points, but they weren&#8217;t in great shape at that point anyway.</p>
<h3>McCullers Leaves with Elbow Issue</h3>
<p>Lance McCullers left the game with elbow discomfort in his throwing arm, and will be evaluated tomorrow. His absence could change the playoff picture in the American League wild card race, as he&#8217;s been a stalwart in the Astros rotation this season and losing an arm at this point in the season is obviously less than ideal.</p>
<h3>Bats Still Ineffective</h3>
<p>The Jays kept swinging for the fences, but only had one runner on third base all night, unless you count the solo home runs. The hitters were not able to string hits together, and the strikeout totals have soared up to where they were in April&#8230; When will they get it under control?</p>
<h3>Up Next</h3>
<p>The Jays improve their record in one run games to 12-19, and move on to the next one. It&#8217;s another 8:10 eastern time start in Houston, where we will see if Marco Estrada&#8217;s back holds up, and if Colin McHugh is the cure for the anemic offense.</p>
<p><em>Lead Photo: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports</em></p>
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		<title>Recap: Astros 2, Blue Jays 1; Stroman Stuns Astros Hitters, But The Astros Prevail</title>
		<link>http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2016/08/02/recap-astros-2-blue-jays-1-stroman-stuns-astros-hitters-but-the-astros-prevail/</link>
		<comments>http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2016/08/02/recap-astros-2-blue-jays-1-stroman-stuns-astros-hitters-but-the-astros-prevail/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:41:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Matt Gwin]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Astros]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blue jays]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://toronto.locals.baseballprospectus.com/?p=5103</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Strikeouts were the name of the game on this holiday Monday. The two teams combined for 40 strikeouts, with the Jays posting 22; a franchise record. For his part, Marcus Stroman struck out a career high 13 batters; four more than his previous best. Astros starter Doug Fister also got his fair share of K&#8217;s [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Strikeouts were the name of the game on this holiday Monday. The two teams combined for 40 strikeouts, with the Jays posting 22; a franchise record. For his part, Marcus Stroman struck out a career high 13 batters; four more than his previous best. Astros starter Doug Fister also got his fair share of K&#8217;s with eight over six innings. That&#8217;s his highest such total since 2013. Interestingly enough, it was a return to form for both starters. We all know of Stroman&#8217;s struggles this season; Doug Fister hasn&#8217;t been much better. Coming in to today&#8217;s game, Fister had posted a 3.73 ERA, but a 4.61 FIP and 4.90 DRA.</p>
<p>Today&#8217;s game caps off a nice stretch of starts for Marcus Stroman. By game score, he&#8217;s had just one below average start over his last six. Despite having many pitches to mix, it isn&#8217;t one particular pitch mix that has allowed Stroman to succeed. Instead, it&#8217;s some added command, a lack of which plagued him early in the season, that has helped Marcus return to form. Early on, Stroman was missing his spots, and missing them often. For most pitchers, that&#8217;ll create some poor results. For a pitcher like Stroman, who has tried to increasingly pitch to contact, that&#8217;ll create especially poor results.</p>
<p>Either way, good or not, Stroman&#8217;s pitching wasn&#8217;t enough for a victory. Granted, a few key Jays bats were out of the lineup, but they could only muster one run over 14 innings.</p>
<h3>Top Play of the Game by WPA</h3>
<p>Monday&#8217;s game featured very little in the way of action. Surprisingly, it was Russell Martin&#8217;s ninth inning home run off of Will Harris added the most in the way of win probability added (+.341). However, as we now know, the homer was enough to get the to extra innings, but not enough for the victory.</p>
<h3>Bottom Play of the Game by WPA</h3>
<p>The bottom play of the game came in the first inning, on the first batter, Devon Travis. Travis grounded out to Alex Bregman at third base. In some ways it was a precursor of what was to come: many Jays walking back to the dugout.</p>
<h3>Up Next</h3>
<p>Tomorrow at 8 PM EST, R.A. Dickey will take on the Astros&#8217; Lance McCullers. It&#8217;ll be interesting to see how the bullpen is deployed after, after Monday&#8217;s 14 inning debacle. As well, we&#8217;ll see if Donaldson and Tulowitzki are back in the lineup.</p>
<p><em>Lead Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</em></p>
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