Blue Jays look to continue hot streak against Tigers: Full series preview

Game One: June 6 – 7:10 pm ET

J.A. Happ (6-2, 3.06 ERA, 4.20 FIP) vs.
Michael Fulmer (5-1, 3.24 ERA, 3.58 FIP)

Happ’s FIP and peripherals continue to suggest that he’s due for regression, but he’s been able to limit that inevitable regression up to this point.

His strikeout rate continues to stay well below what he did with Pittsburgh last year, but he’s getting the ball on the ground at a fairly high rate and dong a good job of limiting hard contact in the air. This has been the most important part of his success.

The aforementioned success of Fulmer has been a savior for the Tigers. He throws absolute steam, with his fourseam averaging 96.38 mph, and his slider clocking in at 89.06. His four-pitch mix, including a change and sinker to go with his fourseam and slider, is a diverse repertoire due to his ability to mix them all in on a consistent basis.

He throws all four at least 12% of the time, with no pitch getting above 33% usage. The fourseam, change and slider are all adept at getting whiffs, as all three are getting double digit whiff rates.

He was acquired in the Yoenis Cespedes deal last year, and it looks like the Tigers got a pitcher that will be able to stay in the rotation a long time.

The one pitch Fulmer is having the most trouble with is the sinker. Hitters are hitting .438 and slugging .667 against it, and it’s really been the only pitch getting hit much. That suggest he’s finding way too much of the zone with the pitch and he’s leaving it up.

The Jays will have to work counts against the young righty and look for sinkers that catch way too much of the zone to do their damage.

Next: Game 2: Sanchez faces off against an old friend