Paxton (0-2) struck out 10 and allowed three runs (just one earned) on five hits and a walk over six innings in a loss Monday against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

After Paxton's rough debut (3.2 IP, 8 R, 3 ER) Wednesday, he needed a start like this one to reaffirm that he belongs in Seattle's rotation. This is the kind of nastiness expected of Paxton, who brings the rare upper-90s heat as a left-hander. Paxton drew an absurd 20 swinging strikes on 107 pitches and backed it up with six groundball outs out of eight outs in play. If Paxton can combine that kind of swing-and-miss stuff with regular grounders, he can live up to the expectations the Mariners' high expectations for him.