A pair of American League clubs in the thick of the Wild Card race go head-to-head when the Yankees and Mariners open up a four-game series at Safeco Field as part of an abbreviated slate of Thursday games, streaming live on MLB.TV.
New York and Seattle are looking to push their way up the AL standings with the potentially pivotal four-game set on tap as the Yankees send right-hander Luis Severino to the mound to face the Mariners' Felix Hernandez. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.
Severino, an All-Star for the first time in his career this season, has been a major boost for the Yankees' rotation, going 5-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 18 starts to date. He got off on the right foot in his first outing of the second half, too, spinning seven innings of one-run ball in a 4-1 win over the Red Sox on July 15.
Hernandez is a former Cy Young Award winner and a six-time All-Star, and despite not being the dominant force he once was, he has the kind of ability to help his club reach the postseason for the first time since 2001.
MLB.TV Premium is now available for $79.99 yearly or $24.99 monthly, with nearly two dozen features for subscribers to access and interact with live out-of-market Major League Baseball games at 60 frames per second on any of the more than 400 supported devices. MLB.TV Single Team subscriptions are also available at $59.99 yearly.
Here's what to watch for throughout the day (all times in ET):
Young hurlers duel: ARI@CIN, 12:35 p.m.
The D-backs rotation has been one of the steadiest in all of baseball this season and the maturation of 24-year-old Taijuan Walker has certainly helped make matters easier.
Walker has failed to complete at least five innings just once in 15 starts this season and is 6-4 with a 3.61 ERA for Arizona this year. He began the second half strong, allowing just two earned runs in six frames in a no-decision against the Braves on Friday.

The Reds give 24-year-old righty Luis Castillo the ball to face Arizona for the second time this season. Castillo held the D-backs' potent offense scoreless over 6 2/3 innings to earn the first win of his career back on July 8.
NL Central clash: MIL@PIT, 12:35 p.m.
The surprising Brewers will look to keep their foot on the gas pedal as they finish up a four-game set in Pittsburgh this afternoon.
Milwaukee turns to 28-year-old Jimmy Nelson, who has won each of his last three decisions. Nelson has been fantastic since the beginning of June, going 5-1 with a 2.73 ERA in nine starts.

Jameson Taillon takes the hill for the Pirates, attempting to bounce back from a loss to the Cardinals in which he allowed four runs in five innings of work.
A historic stretch continues: ATL@LAD, 10:10 p.m.
The Dodgers are putting together one of the most incredible stretches of play in recent memory and it's worth tuning in every time they take the field at this stage in the season.
Los Angeles will try to keep the good times rolling as it sends right-hander Brandon McCarthy to the mound looking for his first win since June 20. The 34-year-old did not factor in any of his past three decisions, but all three outings resulted in Dodger victories.

Righty Mike Foltynewicz, who hasn't lost since May 27, attempts to slow down the red-hot Dodgers, who have the best record in the Major Leagues entering Thursday.