:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60632551/GettyImages-583555894.0.0.0.jpg)
There is a baseball game today, and it is being played in the National League, the worst of all leagues. Mariners' Ace James Paxton is taking the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who will counter with their ace, Gerrit Cole.
Paxton carries a 4.18 ERA and 1.51 WHIP into the outing, as he has struggled with men on base in this, his year of resurgence. Sadly, the Pirates are one of the better teams in baseball against left-handed pitching, sporting a 111 wRC+, so tonight may not be all puppies and Pokemon.
Cole -- picked first overall in 2011, the year of Danny Hultzen -- has lived up to the hype throughout his career, but hasn't been able to repeat the monumental success that was his 2015. Cole is still bringing a sub-3 FIP and 95MPH heater to the table, but he hasn't been as dominant as he was before. Cole has struggled with lefties a bit this year to the tune of a .346 wOBA over 147 batters, so perhaps the M's will be able to pounce on a couple mistakes and eek out a win.
Elsewhere, the Angels play the Royals, the Astros host the Yankees, and Oakland is being burned to death in Arlington. The Rangers made a sad trade today, acquiring Lucas Harrell and Dario Alvarez's ridiculous stat line (seriously, look at this shit).
Game Info
Mariners @ Pirates, 4:05 PM PST
TV: ROOTin TOOTin
Radio: 710 AM ESPN
Web: MLB.com
gobiz