James Paxton’s performances for the Dodgers have been anything but predictable this season. His season beginnings were marked by inconsistency, notably a rough outing at the start of the month where he lasted only 1 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs (six of those earned) on a hefty seven hits and a couple of bases on balls.
This came after a particularly dismal display on April 14 against the Padres, where control seemed to escape him altogether, resulting in eight walks. Since then, adjustments to his technique and battling through the loss of his cutter and a decline in fastball velocity have been key areas of focus for Paxton.
However, in a turn of events that might just signal a significant positive shift, Paxton’s latest appearance on the mound against the Chicago White Sox showcased what might be his most compelling performance of the season. Over the course of five innings, he conceded only three hits and no runs, despite issuing three walks, and recorded six strikeouts—second only to his eight-strikeout game on June 17 as his season high.
Paxton’s showing was particularly notable not just for the solid stats but for the context: the White Sox, though currently languishing at the bottom of the MLB standings, were made to look even more inept, as Paxton outperformed not just expectations but also several other premier pitchers’ efforts against them this season. With 18 swings and misses generated in his latest outing (16 in just three innings), Paxton outdid the likes of Zack Wheeler and Corbin Burnes, among others, underscoring the caliber of his performance.
Blake Harris took to Twitter to highlight this achievement, emphasizing that Paxton’s success against the White Sox, often dismissed due to their poor performance this season, actually underscored the quality of his pitching that night.
Amid struggles with injuries and performance inconsistencies within the Dodgers’ rotation, Paxton’s recent start not only brought relief but also a glint of optimism. His ability to utilize his fastball to secure half of his strikeouts against the White Sox, alongside an effective knuckle curve that bewildered Chicago’s batting lineup, was paramount. This recent success follows a string of effective outings, totaling 18 innings pitched with merely seven hits and two runs allowed, marking a critical contribution to a Dodgers team facing pitching challenges.
As the Dodgers navigate through injuries to key starters, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler, Paxton’s resurgence is timely. Landon Knack’s call-up from Triple-A and Gavin Stone’s rapid ascent are buoying the team, but Paxton’s recent performances, especially considering his delicate health history and the calculated approach to his game time, are now viewed as crucial lifelines.
In sum, James Paxton appears to be hitting his stride at the perfect moment for the Dodgers, offering bright spots amid concerns about the team’s pitching depth. With each successful outing, confidence in Paxton grows, suggesting that despite the uncertainty that has characterized his season, the Dodgers might now be witnessing the emergence of a significantly impactful pitcher in their rotation.
