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Yanks host rival Sox in series finale Sunday
By: Staff Writer - StatFox
Published: 5/7/2016  at  5:30:00 PM
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By Brad Kallet

BOSTON RED SOX

at NEW YORK YANKEES

First pitch: Sunday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Line: N/A

Steven Wright and the Red Sox take on Luis Severino and the rival Yankees in the series finale on Sunday night.

The Yankees, looking for revenge after getting swept by the rival Red Sox at Fenway Park in their first meeting of the season, will start RHP Luis Severino (0-4, 6.31, 16 SO, 5 BB, 4 HR in 25 2/3 IP) in the series finale. After showing flashes of brilliance in his first major-league action last season—he went 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 11 starts—the 22-year-old has looked completely lost so far in 2016. The Dominican had one of his better outings his last time out, allowing three earned runs on five hits in six innings of work against the Orioles on May 3. He’s allowed less than three earned runs just once through his first five starts. On the mound for the Red Sox will be RHP Steven Wright (2-3, 1.67 ERA, 31 SO, 15 BB, 1 HR in 32 1/3 IP). Wright has been the antithesis of Severino, as he hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his five starts. In his last outing, against the White Sox on May 3, the right-hander surrendered two earned runs on three hits—he struck out six and walked four—in six innings of work.

Severino faced the Red Sox in his major-league debut back on August 5, 2015. He got the loss but was very impressive, giving up just one run on two hits in five innings and striking out seven. He hasn’t faced John Farrell’s club since. DH David Ortiz went 1-for-2 on that August 5 day and homered off the rookie. No other players on this year’s Red Sox team had hits off of Severino. SS Xander Bogaerts, CF Jackie Bradley Jr., LF Brock Holt and 1B Hanley Ramirez all went 0-for-2 against him, and none were even able to draw a walk. Severino has been a different pitcher this year, though. He hasn’t been nearly as electric as he was in 2015, and Boston’s offense has looked far more dangerous than it did a year ago. As young Severino looks to get back on track, it’s a prime opportunity for this Red Sox team to take advantage and pounce on the inexperienced youngster.

The Yankees have struggled mightily to put runs on the board all season, and they’re facing a pitcher in Wright who has been rock solid. The 31-year-old faced the Yankees twice last season and beat them both times, allowing just three earned runs on 10 hits in 13 innings. Wright faced the Yankees once in 2014, as well, and got the loss despite not allowing a run in five frames. CF Jacoby Ellsbury has the most at-bats of any Yankee against Wright—with seven (1-for-7 with 3 SO). DH Carlos Beltran (2-for-4) and 1B Mark Teixeira (1-for-5) have homered off him. LF Brett Gardner (0-for-4 with 3 BB), SS Didi Gregorius (1-for-6 with 2 SO) and 3B Chase Headley (0-for-4 with 1 BB and 1 SO) haven’t hit him well. DH Alex Rodriguez (.194, 5 HR, 12 RBI, .275 OBP) was placed on the disabled list this week with a strained right hamstring. The 14-time All-Star only had 14 hits in 72 at-bats, but he led the club with five homers. Without the 40-year-old in the lineup, the power-starved Bombers are even weaker.


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