A grueling 12-inning win yesterday left the Yankees bullpen exhausted. Thankfully New York has the perfect tonic with their ace taking the hill in the rubber match against the Oakland Athletics.
Luis Severino will go for his sixth win of the season, and represents the team’s best chance at a starter who can reach the seventh inning or so, giving the bullpen a much needed reprieve. More than just being a workhouse, Severino is once again just about the best pitcher in the American League. His 2.24 ERA and 2.00 FIP, along with his gaudy strikeout totals, make his start every fifth day appointment viewing.
Brett Anderson will counter for the As, and he is not generally that good. He’s only made two starts this year for Oakland, and has walked exactly as many men as he struck out. For a team that is making their name on comeback wins, this is exactly the kind of pitcher you hope the Yankees smack around in the first inning and put the game away early against.
It’s of course Mother’s Day, which means pink will take over the field to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. The pink bats especially have always been one of my favorite things to see in a baseball season.
First pitch comes at 1:05pm EDT, on YES and WFAN.
Series on the line. Let’s take it. pic.twitter.com/PkMGWEs2HD
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 13, 2018
Let's take this series.#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/LFWzdjCE58
— Oakland Athletics ⚾️ (@Athletics) May 13, 2018