Luis Severino Gets The Start As New York Looks To Rebound In The Finale As Aaron Judge Returns For The Finale In Houston

Luis Severino will get the start in Houston as the 6"7 282 pound rookie right -fielder Aaron Judge returns for the finale.

A rested Aaron Judge could make for some interesting showdowns on Sunday at Minute Maid Park, as the rookie slugger would love to take a crack at rattling the windows beyond the left-field wall before the Yankees complete their three-game series with the Astros. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170701239902936/judge-to-return-as-severino-fiers-wrap-series/?game_pk=491331

The Major League home run leader with 27 blasts, Judge is scheduled to return to the lineup as the Yankees' right fielder on Sunday after manager Joe Girardi gave him a rare -- and somewhat unwelcome -- day off. The 25-year-old Judge said that his energy level hasn't dipped, even as he has become one of the game's biggest must-see attractions. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170701239902936/judge-to-return-as-severino-fiers-wrap-series/?game_pk=491331

"It's been the same since Opening Day, I feel like," Judge said. "Nothing's really changed. I like playing defense, I like being in the game. I feel like I'm a little bit more locked in playing defense." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170701239902936/judge-to-return-as-severino-fiers-wrap-series/?game_pk=491331

Astros right-hander Mike Fiers will have the assignment of containing Judge and the New York bats. Fiers saw his four-game winning streak snapped in his last start, permitting four runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings to the A's. He has not allowed a homer in his last six outings after permitting 18 in his first nine starts.

The Yankees will give the ball to right-hander Luis Severino, who at age 23 became the youngest Yankee in the last 100 years with 12 strikeouts and no walks in a game his last time out against the White Sox. Severino is 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA and 71 strikeouts in his last 10 starts and ranks fourth in the league with 107 strikeouts. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170701239902936/judge-to-return-as-severino-fiers-wrap-series/?game_pk=491331

Judge has reached base safely in a career-best 32 straight games (since May 28), tying the Reds' Zack Cozart for the longest streak in the Majors this season. It is the longest on-base streak by a Yankee since Derek Jeter reached base in 34 straight games to end the 2012 season. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170701239902936/judge-to-return-as-severino-fiers-wrap-series/?game_pk=491331

With 54 wins in their first 81 games, the Astros posted their best record at the midway point in franchise history, besting a previous mark of 50-31 set in 1979. It is the best start in baseball since 2006, when the Tigers started the year with 55 wins in 81 games. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170701239902936/judge-to-return-as-severino-fiers-wrap-series/?game_pk=491331

Carlos Correa seems to be a lock for the American League All-Star team. He entered play on Saturday leading all American League shortstops in runs (55), homers (16), RBIs (53), walks (37), on-base percentage (.387), slugging percentage (.533) and OPS (.920). "according to tohttp://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170701239902936/judge-to-return-as-severino-fiers-wrap-series/?game_pk=491331

As for New York's last game, 

Saturday night is sure to be a night to remember for rookie 22-year-old left fielder Clint Frazier not only did the young left-fielder hit his first home run but he doubled too!

The world became a blur as Clint Frazier rounded the bases for his first Major League home run on Saturday evening, elation that turned into confusion when the rookie returned to the visitors' dugout and received the silent treatment from his Yankees teammates. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

"I didn't really know what to do," Frazier said after the Yankees' 7-6 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park. "Most guys go hopping down [into] the dugout and act like their high-fiving people. I didn't know what to do, so I just went and got a cup of water." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

Ranked as the team's No. 2 prospect and the No. 17 prospect in all of baseball by MLBPipeline.com, the 22-year-old Frazier became the first Yankee since 1913 to double and homer in his Major League debut. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

Playing right field with a stars-and-stripes No. 30 stitched on his back, Frazier did not have to wait long for action. George Springer lifted a deep fly that briefly staggered the rookie, who squinted into the roof and LED lighting before securing the first out in the bottom of the first inning. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

"It was probably the highest popup I'd ever had hit [to me]," Frazier said. "It's just funny that the first ball hit in a game finds me." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

Frazier struck out swinging in his first at-bat, then collected his first hit against Francis Martes in the sixth, a double that eluded left fielder Marwin Gonzalez and sparked a five-run inning. Up in the seating area, parents Kim and Mark cheered, their jubilation forever captured by TV cameras. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

His mother shed tears in the seventh inning when Frazier launched a line drive into the Crawford Boxes in left field, a shot calculated at 339 feet by Statcast™. Frazier became the first Yankees rookie to homer in his debut since Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back blasts last Aug. 13. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

Fellow rookie Aaron Judge had this to say about his rookie teammate Clint Frazier As a player, man, he's the total package," Judge said. "He's got speed, he's got power, he can play any outfield position. It's fun to watch a guy like that." "According to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

Frazier said that he would give the ball from his first hit to his mom, and the home run to his dad. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

"My parents are my role models, and my dad is my hero," Frazier said. "For me to go out there and have this kind of first game for him is really special for the whole Frazier family." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

Frazier's unforgettable trip started with a tap on his shoulder Friday evening, when Triple-A skipper Al Pedrique summoned him into the visiting manager's office at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

"This is it," Frazier said he thought. "I'm going up." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

As Pedrique rattled off the aspects of Frazier's game that still need improvement, that excitement faded, but Pedrique concluded by telling Frazier that he could work on those things in Houston. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

"There was a lot of truth to what he was saying," Frazier said. "That I need to continue to work my defense, my baserunning and just focus on being a good teammate in the clubhouse and just be all ears while I'm here." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

That speech followed an eventful spring that included headlines about Frazier's curly red hair, which he eventually trimmed after team officials determined it to be a "distraction." Frazier hopes there are other ways for his personality to shine through. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

"I think if I clip my own wings, I'm not going to be able to play the way that I want to," he said. "I think for me, as long as I can be myself without being a distraction or cause harm to the clubhouse or the team, I think I'll be in good shape." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239723206/clint-frazier-homers-in-first-mlb-game/

What will the young rookie left-fielder Clint Frazier do in his start?  Will he homer and double again? Will he single? Will he hit a triple? 

As for the rest of the game With an #ASGWorthy relay throw by Carlos Correa, the Astros held on for a 7-6 comeback victory over the Yankees at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, overcoming Didi Gregorius' first career grand slam and a strong debut by touted rookie Clint Frazier. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239900654/astros-come-from-behind-to-stun-yankees/

Brett Gardner appeared to keep the Yankees' hopes alive in the ninth, as he lined a two-out single to left field off Ken Giles, but he rounded first base aggressively. Josh Reddick alertly fired the ball back to the infield, where Correa's relay throw arrived in time to nail Gardner for the final out of the game. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239900654/astros-come-from-behind-to-stun-yankees/

Yuli Gurriel delivered a two-run double for the deciding hit as Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman faltered in Houston's four-run eighth inning. Eight Astros batted, with Jose Altuveigniting the rally with a walk and two stolen bases. Evan Gattis contributed a mammoth solo homer -- the first off Betances this season -- and Carlos Beltran and Marwin Gonzalez each drew walks, setting the table for Gurriel's go-ahead knock. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239900654/astros-come-from-behind-to-stun-yankees/

"It's a huge victory for us," said Gurriel, who also hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning. "Especially against the Yankees, who we know is a great team. It's always special when you beat the Yankees." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239900654/astros-come-from-behind-to-stun-yankees/

Correa also homered for the Astros, who improved to 10-6 in one-run games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239900654/astros-come-from-behind-to-stun-yankees/

"We put quality at-bats together," Correa said. "And the results show." "according to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239900654/astros-come-from-behind-to-stun-yankees/ 

Saturday's win marked the Astros' 24th comeback victory of 2017. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/239900654/astros-come-from-behind-to-stun-yankees/

New York drops to 43-36 while Houston improves to 55-27 on the season. 

Right -hander Luis Severino will be on the mound for New York. He has a record of 5-3 with a 3.15 earn run average. Severino struck out a career -high  12 batters his last time out in a no-decision. He's also gone at least six innings in seven consecutive starts but fared poorly in his last encounter with the Astros. He will go up against Houston right -hander Mike Fiers who has a record of 5-3 with a 3.98 earn run average. After allowing 18 homers in 46/2/3 innings during his first nine starts, Fiers has gone 4-1 with a 2.43 earn run average in his last six outings in that span, he's allowed no homers in 37 innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/07/02/491331#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491331

Will the New York offense be able to back Luis Severino's start? Will rookie Clint Frazier homer or double again in the finale? Will New York be able to hold on to the lead if they get it? Will Houston comeback to rally again? Will Aaron Judge who is returning from an off day make his presence known offensively and defensively in the finale against Houston? 

First pitch is set for 2:10 pm. The game will be televised on the Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-astros/2017/07/02/491331#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491331