Is Paddack turning a corner? This was his first time pitching past the fifth inning this season and he hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start since March when the White Sox of all teams put up a nine spot on him. It was almost a year to the day — May 19th of last season — since he last pitched into the eighth inning. He was untouchable early in this game facing the minimum through his first five innings with five strikeouts and only 43 pitches thrown. Everything looked tremendously easy for him. Also, his velocity was up across the board as his fastball sat 95 mph and touched 97 mph a handful of times. He’ll look to stay hot in his next scheduled start against the Orioles.

Paddack struck out two and walked two while posting a 20 percent whiff rate and 22 percent CSW. He continues to do just enough to keep his rotation spot and hold off Zebby Matthews and David Festa, but not enough to warrant interest in fantasy leagues. He should be avoided next week against the Giants.

Paddack tossed two scoreless innings before Bo Naylor took him deep for a solo homer in the third. He settled in for two more scoreless innings, completing five frames with two strikeouts. Paddack has now allowed two runs or fewer over five innings in each of his last four starts. The 29-year-old right-hander will take a 5.60 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and a 22/14 K/BB ratio across 27 1/3 innings into a start against the Red Sox in Boston on Sunday.

Paddack was able to strike out five, but he issued four walks and threw just 57 of his 99 pitches for strikes. The right-hander issued one of those free passes with the bases loaded in the fourth, and his other run allowed came on a solo homer by Lenyn Sosa. Paddack wasn’t horrible, but it’s fair to say he was fortunate to limit the damage to just two runs, and also fortunate to be facing the White Sox. He shouldn’t be started against the Guardians next week.