Yankees: Luis Severino named starter for the Wild Card game against the A’s

The Yankees have chosen Luis Severino to start the Wild Card game against the Athletics. Severino was 19-8 this season.

After days of waiting, the Yankees have decided to have 24-year-old Luis Severino start the Wild Card game. It shows GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone’s confidence in their young ace despite a not-so-well post-All-Star break performance. Sevy went 5-6 with an 5.57 ERA while allowing 76 hits and 39 earned runs.

This will be Severino’s second consecutive Wild Card start. He went a third of an inning in the 2017 AL Wild Card contest against the Twins, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and two home runs before being pulled. Sevy bounced back in Game 4 of the ALDS going seven strong with seven strikeouts and three earned runs.

Severino stated that he was too excited for his first Postseason outing in 2017 which is why he performed so poorly. Now that he has gained some much-needed experience, hopefully, Sevy will be able to replicate what he did in the ALDS versus Cleveland.

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What concerns me is that catcher Gary Sanchez and Severino have been having some kind of communication issue. On numerous occasions this season, Sanchez has been crossed up, leading to passed balls and a stint where Austin Romine was Severino’s personal catcher.

If the Yankees get the lights out Sevy that we saw pre-All-Star break ( a 2.31 ERA in 128 innings), then the Bombers will have a crucial advantage to move on to the ALDS where the Red Sox await. The good news is that Sevy is 10-2 at home with a 2.74 ERA.

Manager Aaron Boone stated to the NY Post that he has the utmost confidence in the young ace and ultimately believes Sevy gives the Yanks the best chance to win the one-game Wild Card.

"“I think he’s equipped in so many ways to handle this, and perhaps most importantly, he’s equipped with amazing stuff and the ability to dominate big league hitters because he’s such a talented pitcher,”"

Let’s hope Boone’s positivity directly affects Sevy’s confidence — as we know what kind of pitcher Severino is, considering he finished third for the AL Cy Young in 2017.

As YES Network broadcaster David Cone said, “Severino is a Ferrari, and when you have a Ferrari in your garage — are you going to leave it in the garage for a big game?”

The Yankees take on the Athletics in the Wild Card game Wednesday night at 8 PM at Yankee Stadium.