Yankees Luis Severino vows excitement won't turn into Game 6 disaster

Yankees ALCS Game 6 starter, Luis Severino, wants to be the decider who propels his team to the World Series. That responsibility, he promises, is not a burden for him.

As October neared, the standing theory was if the Yankees reached the playoffs, they would be a challenging opponent, built around offensive firepower and late-inning dominance.

While that has stood true, the starting pitching has been the surprise cherry on top. Yankees starters have a combined 2.29 ERA since the start of the ALDS.

Coming off three wins in a row — now one victory away from tasting World Series-bound champagne — the Yankees are clinging to momentum. But momentum is a fickle mistress, fleeting in nature.

If the Astros prolong the series to a Game 7, the momentum would shift, with the decisive game being played in front of a raucous Houston crowd. And just like the exhilaration of the win-or-go-home wild-card duel, any team can take one game.

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That is what makes Game 6 so important for the Yankees and their starter, Luis Severino. Once again, the fate of their season rests in the hands of this young 23-year-old.

Meanwhile, Severino could not be more excited.

“My [excitement] level, I think, is 100,” said the amped-up righty.

Severino is confident that his energy won’t turn into nervousness like it did in his disastrous wild-card start. He told the Daily News’ Peter Botte:

"“I don’t want to go over there and let my teammates down like I did that day. But I’ve learned from that start. I know that I made mistakes.”"

Since then, Severino has allowed just four runs over 11 strong innings. But here is something to watch for: In Severino’s last outing against Houston, he didn’t record a single strikeout.

That was Game 2, a start in which manager Joe Girardi pulled the young ace as a precaution, after observing Severino repeatedly stretch out his arm. Severino, though, turned out to be completely fine, except for a little anger about his early exit.

The two laugh about it now.

"“I’m not gonna do nothing. I’m just gonna throw the ball and walk [around] like a robot,” Severino joked."

All jests aside, Severino’s Game 6 start is of paramount importance for the Yankees’ hopes of reaching the Fall Classic.

Next: Yankees one win away from World Series

"“It’s amazing. Last year I was watching the World Series, and now we have a chance to be in the World Series,” Severino told Botte.“I’m proud of myself and the team that we have.”"

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Yankees’ Luis Severino vows excitement won’t turn into nervous Game 6 disaster

By Aaron Dortch | Oct 20, 2017

Yankees ALCS Game 6 starter, Luis Severino, wants to be the decider who propels his team to the World Series. That responsibility, he promises, is not a burden for him.