MLB playoffs 2016: Three takeaways from Blue Jays' ALDS Game 2 win over Rangers

Joe Rodgers

MLB playoffs 2016: Three takeaways from Blue Jays' ALDS Game 2 win over Rangers image

The Blue Jays are one win away from beating the Rangers in the AL Division Series for a second year in a row. 

Backed by home runs from Troy Tulowitzki, Kevin Pillar, Ezequiel Carrera and Edwin Encarnacion, the Blue Jays took Game 2 at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Friday, 5-3. Jays closer Roberto Osuna was able to covert a five-out save despite being listed as questionable to begin the series with shoulder soreness. 

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The makeshift Jays bullpen did take another blow in the eighth when Francisco Liriano took a 102 mph line drive to the head. He exited the game under his own power but his availability for the remainder of the series is in question.

Three takeaways from Toronto's win:

1. Missed opportunities plagued the Rangers. Texas collected nine hits off Jays starter J.A. Happ, but only scored one run against the left-hander. In fact, Texas left 13 runners on base and was 2 for 18 with runners in scoring postilion for the game. The Rangers missed out on another opportunity in the bottom of the seventh when Ian Desmond hesitated running home from third base and was cut down at the plate on a fielder's choice. 

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2. Unlikely heroes led the Jays. Five-time All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki may have had his worst regular season since his rookie year, but he has been big in the ALDS, going 5 for 9 with a homer, a triple and five RBIs. Journeyman outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, on the other hand, homered for just the seventh time this season. Reliever Joe Biagini had a huge outing with 1 2/3 shutout innings as the Rangers were salivating to get to a Jays bullpen that suffered 32 losses this year. 

3. The Rangers are not themselves.  Blame it on the long layoff between the regular season and Thursday's Game 1 all you want, but Texas is picking the wrong time to deviate from the norm. It set a franchise record for wins at home during the regular season, but after two losses this year the Rangers are 1-11 all time in ALDS home games. Aces Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish were supposed to carry the club in the postseason but instead combined for an 11.88 ERA against Toronto, which has now won nine of the last 12 meetings between the teams. The four homers Darvish allowed are the most he has given up in a game. 

Highlight

Like the Indians on Thursday, the Blue Jays hit three solo home runs in one inning beginning with this eye-level blast from Kevin Pillar. 

What's next

ALDS Game 3: Rangers at Blue Jays, 7:38 p.m. ET Sunday, TBS — The Jays will send AL ERA leader Aaron Sanchez (15-2, 3.00) to the mound at Rogers Centre looking for the sweep against Colby Lewis (6-5, 3.71 ERA) and the Rangers. 

Joe Rodgers