Mariners at Yankees
Two pitchers in contention for a spot on the American League All-Star team square off Thursday afternoon, when the New York Yankees look to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Seattle Mariners in the series finale. New York's Luis Severino is attempting to join Cleveland's Corey Kluber as the major leagues' only 11-game winners and ranks seventh with 118 strikeouts, with Seattle's James Paxton ninth at 115.
Severino has emerged as New York's ace by compiling a 24-8 record since the start of the 2017 campaign, and Paxton is well aware it will be a challenging afternoon. "You go out there knowing he's going to be pretty good," Paxton said during a television interview prior to Wednesday's game. "So you have to be pretty good as well. At the same time, it's just like every other game. I don't go out there and take my foot off the gas pedal, no matter who I'm facing." Giancarlo Stanton smacked a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning in Wednesday's 7-5 triumph as the Yankees overcame a 5-0 deficit. Gary Sanchez hit a two-run shot in the eighth to forge a tie as New York moved a season-best 27 games above .500.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH James Paxton (6-1, 3.53 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (10-2, 2.09)
Paxton is coming off his shortest start of the season at 2 1/3 innings as he escaped with a no-decision after being roughed up by Boston for six runs and six hits. The 29-year-old has won his last six decisions after suffering his only loss of the year against Cleveland in his season debut. Paxton has struck out 10 or more batters on five occasions and has issued fewer than two walks nine times.
Severino has won eight of his last nine decisions and has given up fewer than three runs in 12 of his 15 outings. The 24-year-old was superb while beating Tampa Bay in his last turn, when he struck out nine and allowed three hits over eight scoreless innings. Severino is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in two career starts against the Mariners, with the loss coming at Yankee Stadium on April 15, 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Yankees have won nine of their last 11 meetings with the Mariners and 18 of the last 24.
2. New York CF Brett Gardner (knee) is slated to miss his fifth straight game, but the team still believes he will avoid a stint on the disabled list.
3. Seattle DH Nelson Cruz has recorded eight homers and 14 RBIs in June after entering the month with 10 blasts.