New York Turns To Luis Severino For The Finale Against Boston

If you want to win the series against your American League East rival Luis Severino is probably the right pitcher to have on the mound for the finale. 

New York comes into the game against Boston with a record of 53-27 and is in second place in the division  and is also one game back of Boston who is in first place in the American League East with a record of 56-28. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/standings

Luis Severino will start for New York. The right-hander comes into the game against Boston with a record of 12-2 with a 2.10 earn run average. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33263/luis-severino Severino became the Majors' first 12-game winner with a seven-inning gem last time out, blanking the Phillies. He is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts vs. Boston this year, including an 11-strikeout no-decision on May 8. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose Boston left-hander David Price who comes into the finale against New York with a record of 9-5 with a 3.66 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/456034/david-price

After pitching just one inning against the Yankees on April 11 because of numbness in his throwing hand and missing the next matchup with mild carpal tunnel syndrome, Price faces them on a roll, with a 2.79 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in the past seven games. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

As for the second game of this three -game series, New York was routed by Boston as they evened up the series.

The Yankees continue to insist that Sonny Gray -- a celebrated midseason pickup nearly one year ago -- possesses the raw ability to produce winning results at the corner of 161st Street and River Avenue, though they are baffled by the right-hander's seeming inability to put it all together under the bright lights. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

Falling to the Red Sox for the fourth time in four starts since his acquisition, Gray was hit hard and knocked out early. Chris Sale took care of the rest, silencing the Yankees' bats in an 11-0 decision on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, evening the weekend showdown between the top clubs in the American League East. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits

I expect to come out and perform and make it fun," Gray said. "The way I've thrown the ball, I don't think it's been fun. I feel like we're the best team in baseball four out of five days, and then I come out and do that. It just sucks." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

Rafael Devers highlighted Boston's 17-hit barrage with a grand slam in the first inning, part of a 5-for-5 performance, and Gray's pitch count jumped as he struggled to put away hitters in a two-run second inning. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

Generating six swings-and-misses out of 68 pitches, Gray was showered with boos by the sellout crowd of 47,125 when manager Aaron Boone retrieved the ball with one out in the third inning. Gray permitted seven of Boston's 17 hits, walking two and striking out none. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

"I get it," Gray said. "If I was out there, I probably would have booed me louder. I understand how important these games are, and I understand how important every game is, especially here with the Yankees. We expect to win." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

Obtained from the Athletics in exchange for three prospects last July 31, Gray was expected to stabilize the rotation, but his ongoing inconsistency is part of the reason why general manager Brian Cashman senses a need to continue working the phones in search of starting pitching. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

Gray has pitched to an 8.25 ERA in eight home starts this year, the third-highest such mark among any Major Leaguer with 30 or more innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

"I think he has what it takes to pitch here and to pitch successfully here, absolutely," Boone said. "I think we've seen enough good outings from him where he's built a little bit of momentum, and I know physically he's in a good place as far as his stuff. Now we've just got to unlock it." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

On the flip side of the pitching matchup, Sale was dominant, holding New York to Giancarlo Stanton's first-inning single through seven frames. The left-hander retired 16 straight after a two-out walk in the second inning, striking out 11 with a wild pitch and a hit batsman. New York managed a season-low two hits in all. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

"We got four runs before I threw my first pitch of the night. That's nice," Sale said. "It shifted the entire momentum, the entire energy of the game. You could feel it, even with the crowd." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

Adam Warren relieved Gray and hurled 2 2/3 scoreless innings, permitting two hits while striking out four. Giovanny Gallegos allowed three runs over two frames, including Sandy Leon's two-run homer in the seventh. Jonathan Holder permitted his first earned run in 27 2/3 innings as the Yankees absorbed their fourth shutout loss -- all in their last 18 games. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

"I think tonight was a case of the game getting away early, and we were up against an ace who was on top of his game," Boone said. "We can turn the page from this one." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

SOUND SMART
Since the date of his acquisition, Gray's 7.10 home ERA is the highest by any Yankees starter to have made 13 starts in The Bronx. Gray is followed on that list by Carl Pavano (6.12 ERA), Jaret Wright (5.93 ERA), Jeff Johnson (5.85 ERA) and Dave Eiland (5.56 ERA). "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

"I'm well aware of the way I've struggled here," Gray said. "I just wish I knew [why]. That was embarrassing from the first inning on." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
Devers' fourth hit of the night was a double to right field in the seventh that merited a check by the umpiring crew. Aaron Judge jumped in pursuit of the ball, which struck his glove and hit near the top of the fence before dropping back into play. After a review, the call on the field was confirmed. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-held-to-two-hits-in-loss-to-red-sox/c-283655730

First pitch is set for 8:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-07