Yankees Hot Corner – Is Luis Severino back?

It may have only been one game, but it was also one game in the biggest rivalry in baseball.  It was one game where the Boston Red Sox had a chance to clinch the American League East.  It was one game where Luis Severino, as Aaron Boone stated, “just pitched”.

Luis Severino may have always relinquished his position as the ace of the Yankees’ pitching staff and the rightful starter in the Wild Card game, but he put himself back on track with this performance.  Sevy pitched seven innings of one run ball.  He scattered six hits but also had six strikeouts and never looked to be in trouble.  Severino commanded all his pitches masterfully, worked out of trouble, and looked straight out dominant towards the end of the game.

Sevy has his swagger back

The biggest difference between tonight’s performance and the other starts post All-Star break was Severino’s swagger on the mound.  Severino could have relented to the mighty Red Sox lineup in the second inning when he got in trouble, but worked out of trouble and pitched a great game.

The defining moment of the game was after the game was already out of reach.  Severino was reaching his limit (near 100 pitches) when MVP candidate Mookie Betts came up to bat.  Severino buckled down and struck out Betts to end his game, roaring on the mound and showing more emotion than he has in the past eight starts.

What’s next?

If Severino can get on a roll, he can put himself back into the conversation for Wild Card starter.  While Masahiro Tanaka has been on a roll, when Sevy is right he’s just as overpowering as Tanaka.  The fact that Severino may indeed be back is healthy for the entire team, regardless of who starts the Wild Card game.

Rolling four quality starters out in the playoffs is the name of the game.  Between Sevy, Tanaka, J.A. Happ and the always reliable C.C. Sabathia, the Yankees have the starters to make a deep run.  They have a fantastic bullpen and if the offense is producing they’ll be a hard team to beat come playoff time.

David Price…..

The other note of Wednesday’s game is David Price, and more important his immense struggles at Yankee Stadium.  In his last four starts at Yankee Stadium, Price has an 10.80 ERA, .378 Opponent BA, and has allowed 13 home runs to the Yankees.

In essence, the Yankees own him, and have owned him ever since Price came into the league as a Tampa Bay Ray.  Price is a great pitcher and has excellent stuff, but the Yankees have his number.  It may sound crazy, but the Red Sox might be better off not pitching Price if they wind up meeting in the playoffs.  They most certainly will start him, but just a thought.