Game Two – Friday – First Pitch: 7:15 PM CT
Thursday’s matchup looks good, but Friday’s looks even better. Newly crowned AL pitcher of the month James Paxton makes the start against the Royals’ Jason Hammel. Paxton’s July was outstanding, and after 6 winning starts where he posted an ERA of 1.37, he leads the AL in ERA with a mark of 2.68. In his career against the Royals, he’s 1-0 with a 2.20 ERA. Hammel is coming off of his first win since June 19, but in 13 home starts this year is 3-4 with a 4.68 ERA.
With the 2017 Mariners, you never know which team will show up, but the matchup of one of the top pitchers in the MLB against a pitcher who’s struggled all year seems like a pretty good one for the Mariners. Wins on Thursday and Friday would put the Mariners ahead of the Royals, and build solid momentum for the last two games of the series.