SEVY GETS PHIL!
Luis improves to 12-2 as Yankees blank Phillies:
Sevy ready to Rock ’Em Sox ’Em
PHILADELPHIA — Of course Luis Severino wants to face the Red Sox on “Sunday Night Baseball.” Bring it on. “I want to face any team,” a confident but not cocky Severino said after his latest masterpiece. “I’m not scared of anybody.”
The Yankees haven’t finalized whether their 24-yearold ace will go against Boston in the series finale on July 1.
But given that he’ll be on regular rest, baring something unforeseen, it would be shocking if Severino won’t be on the mound given the stakes, with the Bombers wanting to do everything in their power to win the AL East and avoid the do-or-die wild card game.
Severino was brilliant yet again on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, striking out nine in seven shutout innings as the Yankees blanked the Phillies 6-0. His record now stands at 12-2, his ERA at 2.10.
Most importantly, the Bombers are 15-2 in his 17 starts.
Through 77 games, Severino has been the Most Valuable Yankee. He has moved into the conversation with the likes of Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Corey Kluber as far as best pitchers in all of baseball are concerned.
“We’ve seen all the Houston guys that have been really, really good,” Aaron Boone said. “But Sevy’s right there with them. It’s hard for me to imagine anybody better. That record in a lot of ways speaks for itself. The ability to get deep into games. He’s been really good against the elite competition, as well. He’s putting himself in conversation as the best in the game, no doubt about it.”
Perhaps the most impressive part of Severino’s arsenal is his ability to maintain his fastball velocity, an average of 97.7 mph, throughout his outings.
On Tuesday, he struck out Odubel Herrera with a 100.6 mph heater in the fourth — the fastest strikeout pitch for any starter this season, according to Statcast — and hit 99.6 with his 101st pitch.
According to YES Network, Severino has thrown 36 pitches 99-plus mph in the sixth inning or later. Chris Sale is second on the list with 10. As Giancarlo Stanton put it, “He’s got closer’s stuff for 100, 110 pitches.”
“As I like to say, that thing was crispy tonight,” Boone said of Severino’s heater. “There’s no question he’s our ace. And when he gets the ball, he has a chance to dominate and we have a good chance to get it done that day.”
It’s hard to believe Severino went 0-8 with an 8.50 ERA as a starter two years ago. But after working with Pedro Martinez to fine-tune his delivery — keeping his glove close to his body to create deception — and developing his changeup to go along with his fastball and wipeout slider, Severino is living up to his potential and more.
Last season, he made his first All-Star team but didn’t get in the game. This season, he’s got a decent shot at starting it.
“I mean, it would mean a lot,” Severino said. “But I’m not thinking about more than five games (ahead).”
That should mean another start against the Red Sox.
Bring it on.