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8/20: Open game thread

James Paxton vs. Cole Hamels.

Duane Burleson

Welcome to another matinee showing of Mariners baseball! I don't know if they're trying to go for a record here, but today marks the second of three 10 a.m. starts the M's have this week. As much as I appreciate the early starts, I don't quite know what to do with my evenings now.

The "glue" of the Mariners' rotation is back today for his fourth start this month. James Paxton will be facing off against the Phillies in the rubber match of the series, touting a 3-0 record since his return from the disabled list. In his last start, he shut down the Tigers' offense in six innings, issuing five hits, a run, a walk, and two strikeouts. As should be expected for a 25-year-old with nine MLB appearances under his belt, this will be Paxton's first time pitching against Philadelphia.

The trade market has no idea whether 30-year-old Cole Hamels is staying or going. In July, the prevailing rumor was that the Phillies refused to field offers for their southpaw. In August, that tune has changed, with anonymous sources close to the pitcher claiming that he's open to offers from the Red Sox. Whatever the case may be, he's been crafting a decent season so far, holding onto a 3.23 xFIP and 3.1 fWAR in 151 1/3 innings pitched. Excepting his last outing, when he allowed nine hits, three runs, and a pair of walks to the Giants, Hamels had maintained a streak of five games in which he pitched at least seven innings while allowing one or fewer runs.

Game notes

  • Mariners @ Phillies, 10:05 a.m. PST
  • This morning's game will be televised on ROOT Sports, broadcast on 710 ESPN, and available to out-of-market fans at MLB TV here.
  • Logan Morrison is back in right field today, while Endy Chavez, Mike Zunino, and Dustin Ackley get the day off. Baseball!

Today's Lineups

SEATTLE MARINERS PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Austin Jackson - CF Ben Revere - CF
Chris Taylor - SS Jimmy Rollins - SS
Robinson Cano - 2B Chase Utley - 2B
Kendrys Morales - 1B Ryan Howard - 1B
Kyle Seager - 3B Marlon Byrd - RF
Chris Denorfia - LF Darin Ruf - LF
Logan Morrison - RF Wil Nieves - C
Jesus Sucre - C Andres Blanco - 3B
James Paxton - LHP Cole Hamels - LHP