New York Yankees Turn to Opener Strategy for Struggling Luis Severino in Crucial Matchup
In an effort to find a solution for Luis Severino’s struggles, the New York Yankees have turned to an opener strategy. The team will have Ian Hamilton start the game against the Chicago White Sox before Severino is expected to pitch in relief.
Severino has been struggling, particularly in the first inning, where he has a whopping 13.85 ERA this season. By having him come into the game after Hamilton throws an inning or two, the Yankees hope to minimize his early-game struggles and give him a better chance to succeed.
The Yankees are in a favorable position to employ this strategy, as they have a mostly rested bullpen and an off day on Thursday. This means they can afford to have a short leash with Severino if he continues to struggle.
This is not the first time the Yankees have used the opener strategy. They had success earlier this season when they used an opener for Jhony Brito against the Blue Jays. However, they have also experienced the downside of this strategy in the past, as it backfired on them in the 2020 ALDS when Deivi Garcia opened for J.A. Happ.
Severino, who is set to become a free agent, has had a tough season so far with a 7.74 ERA across 13 starts. In his last six starts, his ERA has ballooned to 11.22. The Yankees have been working diligently in between his starts to try and fix his issues, but so far, their efforts have yet to yield positive results.
Leading up to Wednesday’s game, Severino had been preparing to start, including throwing a bullpen session on Monday. However, the Yankees were cautious and did not definitively state that he would be the starter, leaving some wiggle room for manager Aaron Boone to make the decision.
Ultimately, the Yankees’ pitching plans for Wednesday depended on the outcome of Tuesday’s game. With an efficient outing from pitchers Clarke Schmidt, Michael King, and Jonathan Loaisiga, Boone confirmed that the team was considering all options for Wednesday’s starter.
If the Yankees had been healthier, Severino’s spot in the rotation might have already been in jeopardy. However, Domingo German is currently on the restricted list seeking treatment for alcohol abuse, and Carlos Rodon recently landed on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Nestor Cortes has taken German’s rotation spot, while Randy Vasquez is expected to pitch in Rodon’s place on Friday against the Marlins.
The Yankees are hoping that the opener strategy, combined with a mostly rested bullpen, will give Severino the support he needs to overcome his struggles. As a pending free agent, it is crucial for Severino to turn things around and regain his previous form. Only time will tell if this strategy will be successful for the Yankees and their struggling pitcher.
