The stage couldn’t be much bigger for James Paxton’s Major League Baseball playoff debut.
The Ladner native will get the start at Yankee Stadium on Friday (4 p.m. PDT) when New York hosts the Minnesota Twins in game one of the best-of-five American League Divisional Series.
Paxton was named the starter on Thursday by manager Aaron Boone, joining Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino in the three-man playoff rotation. The 30-year-old lefty is rolling into the post-season with 10 consecutive wins. He finished with a 15-6 record, 3.82 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 150.2 innings pitched.
“It was a difficult decision and something I went back and forth daily with because all those guys are in a good place. I would have been comfortable going a lot of different ways but James is the guy to get us off on the right foot,” said Boone. “He is throwing the ball really well right now and it the best option.”
The Mariners missed the playoffs during Paxton’s six seasons in Seattle. His wait with the Yankees was a short one after being traded to the storied franchise last November.
“I feel very fortunate to be here,” Paxton told the New York media on Thursday. “A team that commits itself to winning and making the playoffs each year.
“It’s a dream for all baseball players: pitch in the post-season and pitch in the World Series.That’s what we are all dreaming of. To get the opportunity and chance to go out there and do this I feel pretty lucky.”
When Paxton learned he was starting game one he reached out to his parents, brother and two of his very best friends back in Ladner to share the news.
“Im excited. It’s going to be awesome. I’m really honoured to get this opportunity to pitch game one and it’s going to be great,” he added.
