Two American League All-Stars Luis Severino, Chris Sale Set For Pitchers Duel At Fenway As New York Takes On Boston

Don't you think it's awesome when the all-star break comes around and players from the two leagues are on the same team for a night?

That was the case for Luis Severino and Chris Sale who are both coming off the all-star break having been apart of the American League all-star team that beat the National League  2-1 at Marlins Park Tuesday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

Days after sharing the same clubhouse for the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard in Miami, Chris Sale, and Luis Severino will return to being rivals Saturday. The Red Sox left-hander and Yankees righty will face off at Fenway Park in the second game of a four-game series. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

Both pitchers were stellar in the first half, and they will look to carry their momentum over into the second portion of the season, including a potentially heated pennant race. "according to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

Sale,  who earned the start for the American League in Tuesday's All-Star Game, started the first act of his Red Sox career off with a bang. The lanky lefty came out of the break with the third-most wins in the Majors (11) and the fourth-lowest ERA (2.75). His 178 strikeouts were the most first-half K's by a pitcher since Curt Schilling in 2002. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

In his second consecutive All-Star Game start, Sale struck out two batters in two scoreless innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

Severino is fresh off his first All-Star appearance, and he's on the hottest streak of his young career. The 23-year-old produced a 3.54 ERA in 17 starts and fanned 124 batters in the first half. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

In his last appearance, Severino struck out 10 batters in a win over the Brewers, marking the fourth time this year that he's accumulated double-digit strikeouts in a game. The right-hander was available but did not appear in the Midsummer Classic. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

Left-handed-hitting Andrew Benintendi should return to Boston's starting lineup on Saturday after sitting out Friday against Yankees lefty Jordan Montgomery. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

 It may be a small sample size, but so far Dustin Pedroia has gotten the better of Severino. The second baseman is 3-for-7 against the right-hander, with one home run and five RBIs."according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

 Sale produces his best work when his back is covered by the Green Monster. He's 6-1 at home this season with a 2.34 ERA in eight home starts. He's yet to allow more than three runs at Fenway this year, and he has pitched into the seventh inning seven times. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

Severino is 1-3 with a 4.07 ERA in five career appearances against Boston. The Red Sox may hold a special place in the righty's heart, as he made his big league debut against them in 2015. In his first start this season against the Sox on April 26, Severino earned the win after throwing seven scoreless innings and racking up six strikeouts. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/242133584/all-stars-sale-severino-to-duel-at-fenway/?topicId=26688836

Will Luis Severino have a great start after not pitching Tuesday in the All-Star game? Will the New York offense be able to back up his start and get runs off Chris Sale? Will Gary Sanchez homer again? Will New York be able to hold the lead if they get it? Will they not have any throwing errors in this game? If Aroldis Chapman has to come in for the save will he not blow it? Will Boston be able to get their offense going against Luis Severino? 

First pitch is set for 4:05 pm. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1 "according to tohttps://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-red-sox/2017/07/15/491456#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491456