Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies go for a series win against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon

Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

After splitting the first two games of their three game series, the Philadelphia Phillies will go for a series win against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon.

On Tuesday night, Phillies hitters were baffled by Seattle’s starter Hisashi Iwakuma who held them scoreless for seven innings. Meanwhile, A.J. Burnett allowed five runs in yet another poor post-All-Star break start. The Phillies made things slightly interesting by scoring two runs in the ninth inning, but the Mariners were eventually able to close out the 5-2 victory.

James Paxton. Image Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies should feel good about their chances on Wednesday because they’ll have their ace on the mound. Cole Hamels will attempt to lead the team to their first series win since sweeping the Houston Astros at the beginning of the month.

Hamels’ mediocre 6-6 record is mostly due to his lack of run support. Unfortunately, he probably can’t count on receiving much help today either, as the Phillies hitters will face a young pitcher who looks like an emerging star.

Left-hander James Paxton (who is Canadian, not American!) will get the ball for the Mariners. This will be only his sixth start of the season (and tenth of his career), but he’s already made a strong impression. He is 3-0 on the year, and 6-0 in for his brief career.

Paxton missed a couple of months with a shoulder injury, but he has shown no ill effects since his return. In three post-disabled list starts, he’s allowed only four runs over 16.2 innings.

Today’s lineups

Phillies

CF – Revere, SS – Rollins, 2b – Utley, 1B- Howard, RF – Byrd, LF – Ruf, C – Nieves, 3B – Blanco, P – Hamels

Mariners

CF – Jackson, SS – Taylor, 2B – Cano, 1B – Morales, 3B – Seager, LF – Denorfia, RF – Morrison, C – Sucre, P – Paxton

Game time:1:05 PM

Television: CSN Philadelphia