New York Yankees: Luis Severino should still start the AL Wild Card game
By Kyle Morello
Luis Severino has been the number one pitcher for the New York Yankees all season. Despite his recent struggles, would he still be in line to start the AL Wild Card game should the Yankees make it there?
Yes, we all know that New York Yankees‘ “ace” Luis Severino has struggled as of late. His ERA has risen from 1.98 on July 1st to a 3.27 mark after his last outing against the Baltimore Orioles, according to ESPN.
I’m not going to sugar coat it: that isn’t very good.
When looking at if he would get the call for a potential AL Wild Card game, there are two factors. One is Severino himself? Two is the rest of the Yankees starting staff.
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
In all honesty, I’m not exactly sure why Severino has been struggling as much as he has. His velocity is still consistently high on his fastball, which according to FanGraphs he uses the majority of the time at 51.1%.
The real problem is that he isn’t locating it like he did the first half of the year. It could also be that he is tipping his pitches to opposing hitters, making it easier for them to get a read on him and what he is throwing.
If Severino can pinpoint a 98 mph fastball on the corners, he will be as un-hittable as he was before July 1st. If he can’t, the Yankees could be in trouble in a potential playoff elimination game.
Now, for the other aspect of this, the rest of the Yankees’ rotation.
If manager Aaron Boone decides to go in a different direction, what are his other options that would be better than Severino?
The rest of the Yankees rotation is comprised of Masahiro Tanaka, C.C. Sabathia, J.A. Happ and Lance Lynn. While they are all quality starting pitchers, none of them quite compare to Severino.
According to Baseball Reference, the Yankees starter next closest to Severino’s 4.4 wins above replacement is Sabathia at 2.4. Sabathia is also the next closest in ERA at 3.36 compared to Severino’s 3.27.
He also leads the Yankees staff in strikeouts per nine innings with 10.3 with the next highest being Happ right behind him at 10.1.
Severino has the numbers to prove what we all have known all along, despite what he’s been going through on the mound in the last month or so. He is, regardless, the best pitcher on the New York Yankees.
dark. Next. Knicks should move on from Kanter at deadline
So please, Aaron Boone, if the Yankees are playing for their season in the AL Wild Card game, give Luis Severino the ball with full confidence that he can help the Yankees advance.