Blue Jays face Giants in Interleague clash: Full series preview

Game 2: Tuesday, May 10th  –  10:15 p.m.

J.A. Happ (4-0, 2.50 ERA) vs.
Matt Cain (0-4, 7.84 ERA)

The undefeated Happ is set to face the winless Cain: what could go wrong?

Happ has been a revelation for the Blue Jays this season, carrying over his success from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015. His three-year, $36 million contract is quickly becoming one of the more valuable moves from the past offseason.

His last time out against the Rangers, Happ threw seven strong innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits and striking out five batters.

His ability to work deep into ball games has been the most impressive part of Happ’s game. His 172.0 innings from last season represents a career high, but he’s thrown at least six innings in every start this season. In three of his last four starts, he’s made it a full seven.

With a long National League track-record, Happ has 16 hits in 215 plate appearances (.089 AVG). He did homer with the Houston Astros back in 2011, though, and has doubled twice!

Matt Cain counters for the Giants, and much like Peavy, he’ll be glad to see the first quarter of the season pass. After beginning the year with some uneven starts, his last two trips to the mound have been much more difficult.

The 31-year-old right-hander allowed six earned runs to the Rockies on May 5th, giving up 10 hits over four innings and failing to record a single strikeout. In his start prior on April 30th against the Mets, Cain allowed six earned once again, this time on seven hits across six innings.

Cain has already allowed six home runs this season, an unusually high number for him, though he also had an inflated home run rate in 2015. Opposing hitters have posted a .328 average off the career-long Giant as he’s struggled to strand base runners (55.8 LOB%).

Next: Game 3 Preview: Both sides save their best for last