Luis Severino Has First Setback Since Returning As New York Gets Beat By Texas In Arlington

We knew it was going to happen sometime we just didn’t know when or where.

Turns out Luis Severino’s first setback since returning to the major league mound came against Texas in Arlington in game two of their three game series.

After a 33-pitch first inning in which he permitted a pair of double steals and committed an error, Severino struck out the side in the second inning, then pitched around a walk and error in the third. The Rangers pulled away against New York's bullpen, as Rougned Odor capped a six-RBI performance with a grand slam in Texas' 9-4 victory.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-3rd-start-for-yankees

Odor stroked a two-run double in the first inning off Severino, who said that he "didn't feel like myself" on the mound. He had fired nine scoreless frames over his first two starts against the Angels and Blue Jays since returning from right shoulder and right lat injuries.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-3rd-start-for-yankees

It was the only hit permitted by Severino, who walked four and struck out four, throwing 44 of 72 pitches for strikes. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that despite the difficult first inning, he believes Severino appears ready to take on the challenge of postseason baseball. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-3rd-start-for-yankees

Jose Trevino stroked a fourth-inning RBI double off David Hale, who was activated from the injured list prior to the game.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-3rd-start-for-yankees

After Tyler Lyons retired both men he faced in a successful audition for the playoff roster, Texas hung four runs on Luis Cessa, who walked in a run in the sixth before leaving a bases-loaded jam for Nestor Cortes Jr. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-3rd-start-for-yankees

As for the New York offense,

Here comes the Judge
The Yankees opened the scoring in the first inning, when Aaron Judge stroked his fourth career triple and came home on Brett Gardner's sacrifice fly.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-3rd-start-for-yankees

Judge initially thought that he'd homered off Texas starter Luke Farrell -- even slapping hands with first-base coach Reggie Willits -- then had to turn on the burners as he charged into third base with a headfirst slide.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-3rd-start-for-yankees

"He was coming right at me, too," Boone said. "The good thing is it was a good slide, but it was definitely a hold-your-breath moment. ... We're always trying to coach our guys to play smart and within themselves." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/luis-severino-3rd-start-for-yankees

While New York suffered a setback Texas meanwhile evened the series up.

Second baseman Rougned Odor is once against tantalizing the Rangers with a strong finish to his season.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

Odor compiled six RBIs with a two-run double and a grand slam in carrying the Rangers to a 9-4 victory over the Yankees on Saturday night at Globe Life Park. The six RBIs were a single-game best and also gave him a career-high 93 RBIs. The grand slam gave him 30 home runs on the season, most on the Rangers. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

Over his past 25 games, Odor is hitting .261 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs. His .333 on-base percentage and a .641 slugging percentage have left him with a .975 OPS in that stretch.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

"It means a lot, especially how this season has been," Odor said. "It's been a tough season but I didn't give up. I kept working hard, kept believing in myself. That's why I'm finishing strong." “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

Those numbers also led manager Chris Woodward to make a prediction following Saturday's win.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

"I know he has done this in the past where he has finished strong," Woodward said. "I hope he has some truth and understanding right now, because if this is the guy we can have all year, we have a superstar."“according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

The Rangers have been waiting for that for a long time. The 30 home runs and 93 RBIs are excellent numbers by any measure, but Odor is also batting just .204/.281/.439 overall. He also has 178 strikeouts with 51 walks.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

Over the past 50 years, Odor's .439 slugging percentage is the seventh lowest by a player with 30 or more home runs in a season. His .397 slugging percentage in 2017, when he also hit 30 home runs, is the lowest.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

"We really challenged Rougned," Woodward said. "He has never made excuses. He accepted the challenge all year long. Obviously he didn't get off to a great start ... 30 home runs and 93 RBI, that's pretty significant, that's not easy to do. For him to have those numbers and look at his overall numbers and say he wasn't as productive as he could have been ... that shows you how talented he is. If we get this guy next year for all year, look out." “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

Woodward said Odor has been more "consistent" over the past 25 games. What that nebulous and overused word means is Odor is putting together longer stretches of good at-bats, rather than going through frustrating periods of chasing bad pitches and being his own biggest enemy. “according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

Woodward said any player capable of hitting 30 home runs in three of the past four seasons has the ability to be a damaging force with a bat. What the manager wants Odor to understand is there are new expectations for him about being able to maintain the desired consistency.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

"I have been learning a lot about myself this year," Odor said. "I was trying to take what I learn in practice and in the cages and take it into the game. That's one of the hardest things for a hitter. When somebody's not hitting good, it's hard to take that into a game, but I kept trying."“according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

He is seeing the results of his efforts. The challenge is to remember it come Spring Training.”according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

"That's a challenge for a lot of guys in the offseason," Woodward said. "A lot of times, you think you've figured it out and then it kind of goes away. You're starting over almost. I don't want him to start over."“according to https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/rougned-odor-slam-6-rbis-lead-rangers

New York will now turn their attention to the finale where they will look to bounce back as they use Chad Green as an opener before they turn to Japanese right -hander Masahiro Tanaka.