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BASEBALL

Luis Severino Starts The Finale As New York Looks To Take A Pair From Cincinnati

Luis Severino who has been New York's ace this season will take the mound for the finale against Cincinnati.

Luis Severino (6-4, 3.21 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Yankees against Homer Bailey (2-4, 8.56 ERA) and the Reds in Wednesday's matinee series finale, with the Yanks looking to take both games in the two-game set. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379444/yanks-aim-to-swipe-pair-from-reds-in-finale/?topicId=26688732

Bailey missed almost all of the first half of the season after having elbow surgery in February, and he has demonstrated inconsistency in his six starts since returning from the injury. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379444/yanks-aim-to-swipe-pair-from-reds-in-finale/?topicId=26688732

In his most recent outing, Bailey tossed six innings of two-run ball, allowing eight hits, two walks and striking out three against the Marlins. His fastball averaged 94.9 mph and topped out at 97.7 mph, according to Statcast. He induced double plays to end three of the first four innings, and the last two inning-ending double plays came via fastballs. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379444/yanks-aim-to-swipe-pair-from-reds-in-finale/?topicId=26688732

Perhaps Severino's biggest weapon this season has been his lively fastball, which is the hardest pitch among starting pitchers in 2017. He has thrown 93 pitches of at least 99 mph this season, 34 more than any other starting pitcher. He hit 101.2 mph in his most recent start, the fastest individual pitch from a starter this year. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379444/yanks-aim-to-swipe-pair-from-reds-in-finale/?topicId=26688732

The Yankees will be going for their second straight series win. Prior to their weekend series win against the Mariners, they hadn't won a series since June 9-11 vs. the Orioles. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379444/yanks-aim-to-swipe-pair-from-reds-in-finale/?topicId=26688732

Reds shortstop Zack Cozart pinch-hit in Tuesday night's game after receiving a day off, but he was lifted for a pinch-runner in the eighth inning. Cozart has been nursing an injured right quadriceps for a while, and it seems to be flaring up again. It is unlikely he will play Wednesday afternoon. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379444/yanks-aim-to-swipe-pair-from-reds-in-finale/?topicId=26688732

Severino is 2-0 in his three career Interleague starts (five games) with a 1.37 ERA. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379444/yanks-aim-to-swipe-pair-from-reds-in-finale/?topicId=26688732

Yankees designated hitter Matt Holliday boasts a .320 batting average with 20 home runs and 85 RBIs in 138 career games against the Reds. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379444/yanks-aim-to-swipe-pair-from-reds-in-finale/?topicId=26688732

As for their last game, It's amazing how one outing you can pitch poorly and then have a spectacular outing the next but that was the case for New York rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery on Tuesday as New York opened up a pair with Cincinnati.

 Jordan Montgomery carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, Didi Gregorius homered and the Yankees posted their fourth win in the last five games despite hitting into a rare run-scoring triple play, securing a 4-2 victory over the Reds in Interleague action on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

Relying heavily on his sinker and curveball, Montgomery faced the minimum through five innings before Scott Schebler broke up the no-hit bid with a double to right-center field, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd of 44,268. The rookie left-hander held Cincinnati to a run and two hits over 6 2/3 frames in an 85-pitch effort, securing his first win in five starts. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

"This team's just trying to go out there and win every game," Montgomery said. "I'm trying to throw strikes and give it up to the defense and the bullpen to make the plays. They were outstanding tonight. I'm happy with it." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

New York's first run scored while the Reds turned their first triple play in more than two decades, with Todd Frazier sharply grounding to shortstop Jose Peraza to start a 6-6-3-3-5-6 sequence. Gregorius was tagged for the third out of the inning, but after Matt Holliday crossed home plate. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

Gregorius lifted a sacrifice fly and Austin Romine knocked a run-scoring double off Reds rookie right-hander Luis Castillo, who permitted three runs and seven hits over five innings in an 86-pitch outing. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

"I thought he was aggressive. Had a nice mix of pitches," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "The Yankees took advantage. There were some pitches where he was trying to go in on lefties and it came back over the plate, and out on righties and it came back to the middle, and they squared them up pretty good. They were able to string together some hits and make some things happen to where they were able to score the three runs." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

Cincinnati trimmed its deficit in the eighth as Billy Hamilton doubled in a run off Dellin Betances, but Gregorius answered with his 15th homer in the home half. Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless ninth for his 12th save. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

"I think I'm not missing any pitches, is basically what I think is going on," Gregorius said. "I think the whole trip, I was feeling good. Trying to stay consistent is the hardest part of the game. I'm trying to work on that and trying to be a better player." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

Frazier's first at-bat in pinstripes came with the bases loaded and none out, and it proved to be a memorable outcome for the former Cincinnati All-Star. Peraza fielded Frazier's liner on one hop, tagged second base to force out Chase Headley, then fired to Joey Votto at first base to retire Frazier. Gregorius had stopped in the baseline between second and third, and a pair of tosses between Eugenio Suarez and Peraza completed the Reds' first triple play since Sept. 12, 1995 (Jeff Branson to Bret Boone to Hal Morris)." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

"Brett Gardner was laughing at me," Frazier said. "I think somebody asked for the ball so they could have it. It was just unbelievable. You get into a hitter's count and away it goes. We got a run in, which helped, but at the same time, hopefully, that doesn't ever happen again." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

Castillo was thrilled to be picked up. It was the first time he's been on the mound for a triple play. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

The first time in the big leagues, and at Yankee Stadium, wow!" Castillo said via translator Julio Morillo

Hamilton made a bid to tie the game in the eighth inning with his two-out double that went off right fielder Aaron Judge's  glove, taking advantage of Betances' wild outing. Devin Mesoraco scored easily, but Zack Cozart's sore right quadriceps kept him from coming home from first base. With Cozart replaced at third base by pinch-runner Robert Stephenson, Adam Warren relieved Betances and struck out Suarez swinging, stranding two runners aboard. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

"It was big," Warren said. "Just a lot of adrenaline going. You become a little numb, but that's what you live for. The crowd was behind me, so that made it even more of a hype moment. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

Cozart was hurt trying to beat out a double play while batting just before Hamilton. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

"There's no secret that I have an issue, so it's just a matter of just dealing with it and just playing and being smart about everything," Cozart said. "So I just tried to kick it into just a little too good of a gear, and it kind of grabbed on me. Then, of course, I have to run first-to-third on that one, which wasn't ideal "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/244379000/jordan-montgomery-leads-yankees-over-reds/

New York improves to 52-46 and is now one game back of their American League East rival Boston who is leading the division with a record of 55-47.  Meanwhile, Cincinnati drops to 41-59 on the season and is twelve games behind Milwaukee who is in first place in the National League Central. 

New York right -hander Luis Severino who has a record of 6-4 with a 3.21 earn run average will start the finale. The hard-throwing right -hander is fresh -off a stellar start against the Mariners, scattering eight hits in seven scoreless frames. He also threw the fastest pitch by a starter in 2017 at 101.2 mph. He will go up against Cincinnati right -hander Homer Bailey who has a record of 2-4 with an earn run average of 8.56. Bailey gave up two first inning runs including one on WP, but he pitched well over 6 innings Friday against the Marlins and escaped 3 of the first four frames with double plays. His fastball had life and averaged 94.9mph, topping out at 97.7mph, according to Statcast.  "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/reds-vs-yankees/2017/07/26/491608#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491608

Will Luis Severino be able to dominate and get another scoreless outing against Cincinnati like he did in his last outing in Seattle? Will the New York offense be able to back up Luis Severino's  start and gets their offense going against Homer Bailey? Will Cincinnati be able to get their offense going against Luis Severino?  Will New York win another series or will they split it with Cincinnati? 

First pitch is set for 1:05 pm. The game will be televised on the Major League Baseball Network and Yes.