THE YANKEE TIPPER
SEVERINO ADMITS SOX MAY HAVE KNOWN WHAT WAS COMING IN ALDS
TAMPA — It’s been just over four months since Luis Severino was rocked for six runs in just three innings in a Game 3 loss to the Red Sox in the ALDS, a performance that led to questions about his preparation, as well as to the possibility the right-hander was tipping his pitches.
On Monday, Severino said he was uncertain of whether that was the case, but didn’t rule it out.
“Maybe,” Severino said outside the team’s minor league complex. “I’m not sure, but maybe I was tipping my pitches. I’ll make sure this year none of that happens.’’
The likelihood that’s what happened that night in The Bronx went up when video surfaced of Jackie Bradley, Jr. sitting in the visiting dugout seemingly mouthing “fastball” before some of Severino’s pitches — and the fact he stopped throwing his slider.
“Someone sent me video of Jackie Bradley talking about a fastball,’’ Severino said. “I’m looking forward to see if it’s that. If I see something, I will definitely change it.”
So far, though, Severino said he hasn’t noticed anything.
“I looked a little bit and didn’t find [anything] consistent,’’ Severino said. “I will keep looking and talk to the Yankees and see what they say.”
And he wasn’t bothered by Bradley and the Red Sox sharing whatever information they had with each other.
“This is a game and you have to do anything to win,’’ Severino said. “That’s the playoffs. If we saw that in another pitcher, that’s a big advantage. We need to win.’’
Severino’s issues didn’t just pop up in the postseason. His season turned in July after a sensational first half.
After pitching 6 2/3 scoreless innings against Boston on July 1, Severino’s ERA dropped to 1.98 and he figured to be in the conversation for the Cy Young Award.
Instead, he allowed three or more runs in 10 of his next 11 outings, a stretch that lasted until September, during which Severino had a 6.83 ERA.
“It was tough,’’ Severino said of his second half. “I had a great first half and then all that happened. I just struggled a little bit. I know the pitcher I am. I know I’ll come back and pitch well again.”
First, he’s set to have his arbitration hearing Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla., according to a source. Severino asked for $5.25 million and the Yankees countered with $4.4 million. Severino will be the first Yankee not to settle before a hearing since Dellin Betances in 2017, which turned into an ugly battle between the two sides.
It’s Severino’s first year of arbitration and he made it clear on Monday that he is excited about the strength of the bullpen and the arrival of Adam Ottavino from Colorado, his approach to starting hasn’t changed.
“When they give me the ball, I want to be there the whole game,’’ Severino said. “But I understand if they want to save my arm and use the bullpen.”
That’s certainly a possibility, since his production fell off so dramatically in the second half last season and in six career playoff starts, Severino has completed five innings only once.
“I changed my [offseason] workout a little bit because I think I got a little tired at the end last year and also for my mechanics,’’ Severino said. “I want to be consistent.”