Yanks looking at Luis to get even
HOUSTON — While much of the Yankee universe wondered how Luis Severino would react in the AL division series after recording just a single out in his postseason debut in the wildcard game, Joe Girardi had a positive feeling about it.
Having watched Severino’s revival and emergence into stardom all season following a stepback year — OK, several steps back — in 2016, Girardi hardly was surprised his burgeoning ace came back strong against the Indians and hurled seven important innings in the Yankees’ series-tying Game 4 victory.
“The thing about this game is, Derek Jeter said it great. He said, ‘Stay humble or this game will humble you,’” Girardi said before Friday’s opener of the ALCS against the Astros. “You really have to learn to bounce back in this game. And really, anything in life, any sport, any job, you’re going to have your bad days and you’ve got to learn to bounce back.
“I think Sevy understands that. Sevy spent a whole year trying to bounce back last year, and he figured it out. And it really turned about the last week in spring training for Sevy, and I think that experience probably helped him.”
Just as he handily outpitched Trevor Bauer, who had throttled Severino’s teammates in the ALDS opener, the Yanks clearly will need and now are expecting the 23-year-old to post another representative outing on Saturday in Game 2 against Houston, after a tough 2-1 loss in the opener Friday.
Especially since the first-time All-Star will oppose former AL MVP Justin Verlander, who is 7-0 with a 1.48 ERA in seven games (six starts), playoffs included, since the ’Stros acquired him from Detroit on Aug. 31.
“I feel good, I feel confident in myself. I knew that that first start I did, that wasn’t me, and I made adjustments,” Severino said. “That’s how we do it; we make adjustments, and the second start I put in place those adjustments and did good.”
Those adjustments were minor compared to those Severino had to make both mentally and physically after going 0-8 with an unsightly 8.50 ERA in 11 outings as a starter last season — while spending huge chunks of the year in either the minors or the bullpen — following an encouraging debut in the second half of 2015.
His single-season turnaround certainly caught the eye from afar of one of his former catchers in the Bronx.
“I think he’s been remarkable,” said Brian McCann, who was traded to Houston in the offseason. “I think it all comes down to his fastball command. What he’s been able to do this year has been remarkable. He’s always had the arm, he’s always had the work ethic, but he’s putting it all together this year and it was fun to watch.”
When he’s on, Severino rarely is a fun at-bat for opposing hitters, especially when he commands the changeup on which he relied more extensively this season to complement a fastball that occasionally touches 100 mph.
The Dominican righty accomplished that throughout much of the regular season, which he completed with a 14-6 record, a 2.98 ERA and 230 strikeouts. And he rediscovered that success in Game 4 on Monday against Cleveland following his wild-card blip, twirling seven nearly spotless innings aside from home runs by Carlos Santana and Roberto Perez.
Still, Severino admitted he must once again make the requisite adjustments he spoke of earlier — namely keeping the ball down and remaining consistent in his delivery with all pitches — on Saturday against the Astros.
Severino insisted he will be ready for anything in Game 2. Joe Girardi and the Yankees have come to expect as much from their new ace.
Luis Severino