James Paxton vs. Aaron Nola, 7:10pm
The Phillies arrive for a quick two-game series, and tonight’s game features a great pitching match-up between two immensely talented and, at times, frustrating young pitchers. James Paxton has been an enigma since before the M’s drafted him, with his velocity essentially coming and going as he moved from the University of Kentucky to indy league ball and then to the M’s minor leagues. His mechanical adjustments seemingly unlocked his potential, and he’s been one of baseball’s hardest throwing starters for about a year now. Not only that, but the increased velocity came bundled with better control somehow, and so now he’s a FIP triple threat: lots of Ks (thanks velo), not too many walks (thanks whatever magic that adjustment in Tacoma did), and few HRs (again, thanks largely to velo).