Blue Jays host Diamondbacks for two: Full preview and pitching matchups

Game 2:  Wednesday, June 22  –  4:07 ET

J.A. Happ (8-3, 3.41 ERA) vs.
Robbie Ray (4-5, 4.44 ERA)

Left-hander J.A. has run into some inconsistencies after his red-hot start, but seems to have found his level once again.

After allowing 10 runs on 14 hits over 12 innings in his two starts prior against the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles, Happ buckled down for one of his strongest outings last week against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched seven innings of shutout ball, allowing just three hits and striking out five.

The coming month will present Happ with the challenge of fighting off regression, which his peripheral stats suggest could be oncoming. He’s also found trouble with the home run ball, already allowing 12 deep flies compared to 16 in all of 2015, which he split between the Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Arizona counters with another lefty in Robbie Ray. The 24-year-old is coming off a strong full-season debut with the Diamondbacks last season (3.52 ERA over 127.2 innings pitched with a 2.1 WAR).

Next: Blue Jays Morning Brew: Podcast, news and notes

Following a pair of rough outings against the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays in which he couldn’t escape the fifth inning, Ray has enjoyed some recent success. After throwing seven and two-thirds innings of shutout ball with six strikeouts against the Marlins, Ray stayed hot with a six-inning win over the Phillies.

He’s maintained his strong velocity this season, topping out around 95 MPH, and will lean on his four-seam and two-seam fastball over two-thirds of the time. His primary secondary pitch is a slider, but Ray also works in the odd curve and changeup.