Yankees: No one should be surprised by Luis Severino’s sensational debut

Although Dellin Betances partially tearing his Achilles put a stain on the Yankees 8-0 win on Tuesday night, Luis Severino reminded us all that when healthy, he’s sensational.

On a chilly night in the Bronx, Luis Severino made his 2019 season debut after nearly six grueling months on the IL (since March 28) — and very quickly showed why he belongs at the top of the Yankees rotation.

Naturally, it’s important to consider how Severino feels the day after tossing four innings of scoreless ball. After-all, the Yanks have been uber-patient with Sevy following shoulder inflammation and a Grade 2 lat strain.

But according to all accounts, the 25-year-old right-hander is in fine working condition after throwing 67 pitches (47 for strikes) while striking out four batters, walking two and allowing just two hits.

After working around a 12-pitch leadoff walk, and a base hit — Severino induced a force out and then a double play before settling down in the second inning and showing off his three-pitch repertoire.

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Regularly sitting in the mid-90s, Sevy’s four-seam fastball topped out at 99 mph multiple times. To boot, his changeup dropped out of the zone at 89 mph and he even worked in a few low and inside 84 mph sliders that kept the Angels offense off-balance.

Offering a stark reminder that he is 33-14 with a 3.18 ERA and 450 strikeouts over the past two seasons (63 starts), Severino will have the opportunity to make two more starts before the postseason begins (versus Toronto on Sunday and in Texas on the final day of the season).

If Sevy can add an extra inning or two, and reach 80-90 pitches by the time the playoffs roll around, there’s no reason manager Aaron Boone shouldn’t slot him in at No. 2, behind James Paxton, whose won nine consecutive starts.

With the Yankees magic number down to two, the return of a healthy and impactful Luis Severino only further boosts the Bombers’ chances of advancing deep into October. On the verge of clinching their first division title since 2012, no one should be surprised by Sevy’s sensational season debut.