New York Yankees: Severino Takes Mound, Seeking Redemption in Game 4

Luis Severino seeks redemption as he takes the hill for the New York Yankees in game four of the ALDS.

The last time Luis Severino took the mound for the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card elimination game against the Minnesota Twins, he was far from the dominant ace he was able to be all 2017.

Severino wasn’t able to reach a full inning, allowing 3 runs in the 1st inning thanks to a Brian Dozier solo home run and a 2 run shot by Eddie Rosario. Thankfully relievers Chad Green and David Robertson collectively put together masterful pitching performances to stifle the Twins offense as Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge added home runs of their own to help power the Yankees offense to an incredible 8-4 win.

Now that the jitters are out of his system, Severino knows what’s necessary to be successful and put his team in position to win. If he can return back to the form that has put him in the conversation of being an American League Cy Young candidate then the Yankees should have a great chance at postponing a Indians celebration and potential advancement to the American League Championship series against the winner of the Boston Red Sox vs Houston Astros ALDS series.

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Opposing the Yankees will be Indians starter Trevor Bauer who was lights out in Game 1 of the ALDS as he dominated Yankees hitters with a filthy curveball and overpowering four-seam fastball, controlling one of the best lineups in baseball over 6.2 innings, allowing only 2 hits with 8 strikeouts. If the Yankees don’t want to go home they’re going to need a collective team performance.

Since Bauer will be on short rest the Yankees hitters will have to replicate the same aggressiveness they had against Indians ace Corey Kluber in Game 2 and make him pay for any mistakes he may possibly make. If Bauer gets into a rhythm then the season might end tonight in the Bronx. Now that Severino know’s he can rely on his offense to support him his mindset heading into Game 4 tonight should be very positive.

Next: Could game two cost Girardi his job?

Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild believes his pitcher will be just fine following an uncharacteristic performance by the ace, “I think he’s pitched well all year and I don’t think his confidence is going to get shaken over one outing,” Rothschild said. Anticipation may have gotten the best of Sevy but after witnessing a postseason performance for the ages from teammate Masahiro Tanaka there’s no reason why the 23-year-old can’t follow suit and push the series to a Game 5 winner take all in Cleveland Wednesday night.

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