Astros, Verlander stifle Blue Jays in exhilarating set

Ruled and forever dominated by Justin Verlander (who, I might add, never fails to amaze), who no-hit the Blue Jays Sunday afternoon, the Astros unsurprisingly took the series from the lowly Blue Jays, who, despite dropping the series, played encouragingly well for most of it.

Though the series is most likely going to be remembered for Verlander’s second no-hitter against the Blue Jays, it had some spectacular moments on both sides of the baseball, despite the stress it caused the team and their manager.

Here’s a look at the good, the bad, and the weird from this weekend’s series at Rogers Centre:

Cavan Biggio (3-for-8, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB) was the only thing standing between Verlander and a perfect game, while fellow infielder Reese McGuire (3-for-6, R, HR, 2 RBI) had a fantastic offensive series.

On the rubber, Clay Buchholz (5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 3 SO, W) was surprisingly solid, with Wilmer Font (2.0 IP, H, 0 R/ER, 3 SO) and Sam Gaviglio (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 3 SO) both pitching excellently in the finale. Zack Godley (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 2 SO), Jordan Romano (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 2 SO) and Buddy Boshers (0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, SO) were solid as well.

Bo Bichette (3-for-14, 2 R, 5 SO) was kept quiet, while Brandon Drury (2-for-10, BB, 2 SO) and Randal Grichuk (1-for-11, RBI, BB, 3 SO) both had depressing sets at the dish. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1-for-9, 2 BB, SO), Billy McKinney (0-for-4, SO, 0 TB), Rowdy Tellez (0-for-6, BB, 4 SO), and Justin Smoak (1-for-6, BB, 2 SO) were equally hapless.

On the mound, Jason Adam (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, BB) was destroyed, so too were Ken Giles (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R/ER, 4 SO, SV, L) and Derek Law (1.0 IP, 3 H, R/ER, 2 BB). Tim Mayza (1.0+ IP, 2 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, SO) was roughed up in his two outings.

Though admittedly more miraculous than “weird”, Justin Verlander’s no-hitter on Sunday makes him the third pitcher in MLB history to throw two no-hitters against the same team, and the first pitcher in baseball history to toss both no-hitters in the same ballpark.

The Georgia-bound Blue Jays (now 55-83) will face off against the ever-frightening Atlanta Braves in a quick two-game series beginning Monday. Atlanta (83-54) will send Canadian Mike Soroka (10-3, 2.44 ERA, 113 SO) and Mike Foltynewicz (4-5, 5.59 ERA, 79 SO) to the hill to face off against Jacob Waguespack (4-2, 3.93 ERA, 42 SO) and a starter that has yet to be announced.