 |
| [ PHOTO: NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ] |
 |
| [ PHOTO: NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ] |
September 26, 2018
Peter Solari, Editor in Chief Follow @4PeteSakeNY
Luis Severino isn't making things easy on Aaron Boone, but the rookie manager likely wouldn't have it any other way.
With five games remaining before their one-game wild card playoff with the Oakland Athletics (location to be determined), Severino turned in his third straight strong start for the Yankees Tuesday, striking out five Rays and surrendering two runs over five innings at Tropicana Field in Tampa.
With Boone having yet to name a starter for the wild card game, Severino's resurgence couldn't have come at a better time. The righty was 14-2 at the All Star break, but struggled mightily in the second half until recently, leading many to speculate that deadline-acquisition J.A. Happ would surely start the one-game playoff for the Yankees. Severino clearly has other plans, and New York is in a much better place because of them.
If Boone goes with Severino against Oakland, and assuming the Yankees are able to get by the Athletics, Happ, who was acquired because of his past-successes against Boston, would be available to start game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park. Boone could then turn to Masahiro Tanaka for game 2, before going back to Severino for game 3. That's not a bad top-3 for a best of five series.
In another encouraging sign for the Yankees on Tuesday, struggling catcher Gary Sanchez showed signs that he may be breaking out of his slump, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Watch Sanchez's three run homer below.
Luis Severino isn't making things easy on Aaron Boone, but the rookie manager likely wouldn't have it any other way.
With five games remaining before their one-game wild card playoff with the Oakland Athletics (location to be determined), Severino turned in his third straight strong start for the Yankees Tuesday, striking out five Rays and surrendering two runs over five innings at Tropicana Field in Tampa.
With Boone having yet to name a starter for the wild card game, Severino's resurgence couldn't have come at a better time. The righty was 14-2 at the All Star break, but struggled mightily in the second half until recently, leading many to speculate that deadline-acquisition J.A. Happ would surely start the one-game playoff for the Yankees. Severino clearly has other plans, and New York is in a much better place because of them.
If Boone goes with Severino against Oakland, and assuming the Yankees are able to get by the Athletics, Happ, who was acquired because of his past-successes against Boston, would be available to start game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park. Boone could then turn to Masahiro Tanaka for game 2, before going back to Severino for game 3. That's not a bad top-3 for a best of five series.
In another encouraging sign for the Yankees on Tuesday, struggling catcher Gary Sanchez showed signs that he may be breaking out of his slump, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Watch Sanchez's three run homer below.
Like with Severino, there was speculation about Sanchez not starting the wild card game game, with Boone, instead electing to go with serviceable backup Austin Romine. However, unlike with the starting rotation, Boone doesn't really have an option at catcher. There's no way New York leaves Sanchez's bat on the bench, in the biggest of games. Sanchez is going to start the one game playoff. If Boone is forced to make a defensive replacement later in the game, then so be it. But Tuesday was a reminder of just how good a hitter Sanchez is, and why he's vital to whatever success the Yankees may have in October. If Sanchez can keep his hot bat going into October, his struggles this season will be forgotten.
Adeiny Hechavarria, who filled in for the injured Didi Gregorius, got the Yankees on the board in the first with a solo home run. Rookie third baseman Miguel Andujar drove in two runs, including his 26th home run of the year, a solo shot in the ninth inning. New York broke the game open in the third inning, as seven Yankees crossed home plate. Watch below.
With the win, New York's magic number to clinch home field in the wild card game dropped to two.
The Yankees return to action Wednesday night for the third of a four game series with the Rays. Masahiro Tanaka will get the start for New York against Ryne Stanek of Tampa Bay. First pitch is set for 7:10 PM.
