Climbing Tal's Hill
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Astros Countdown: Top Five AL West Threats in 2017

By Colin Gay

Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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James Paxton

Apr 15, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton yells out after getting the last out of the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Paxton gave up only two hits and no runs. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton yells out after getting the last out of the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Paxton gave up only two hits and no runs. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

If there were one pitcher that the Astros would choose not to face for the rest of 2017, Seattle Mariners left-hander James Paxton would have to be near the top of the list.

In two straight starts against the Astros to start the 2017 season, Paxton threw 13 innings of shutout baseball, giving up only six hits and three walks while striking out 13. The Astros are only hitting .130 with a .358 OPS against Paxton this season.

The Astros are not the only one in this predicament though. In six starts, Paxton has a 3-0 record with a 1.43 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. With a .190 batting average against, he has struck out 45 batters in 37.2 innings.

Paxton’s ERA should be much lower. He struggled against the Oakland A’s on April 20th, giving up five runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings of work. In his other five starts, he only has given up one earned run.

Paxton’s been MIA.

Unfortunately for Paxton, he has not been able to pitch as of late. He is currently on the 10-day disabled list with a forearm injury. However, according to Bob Dutton from The News Tribune, Paxton is slated to begin his rehab assignment on Friday at Double-A Arkansas. If that one start goes well, he will be ready to pitch in the opening series of June against Colorado.

The Astros’ next series against the Mariners will be a weekend series near the end of June. Astros fans should hope that Paxton’s turn in the rotation does not fall that weekend.

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