Severino does not think about “revenge” vs. the Astros … but he doesn’t forget either

HOUSTON – Since returning from a lateral muscle injury at the end of the regular season, Louis Severino he has made four starts—including one in Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Guardians.

In that last outing, the Yankees’ right-hander allowed eight hits and three runs in 5.0 innings, but on 12 days’ rest. Now, opening Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Astros on Thursday with Houston leads the series 1-0Severino will be pitching on a normal four-day layoff. That’s the most relevant thing right now, aside from navigating Houston’s strong lineup — far more important than talking about “revenge” for New York’s losses to the “Siderales” in the 2017 and 2019 NLCS.

“It’s not revenge, but we have to play,” said Severino, who allowed six runs in a total of 13.0 innings between three appearances against the Astros in those two series. “I do think that we lost here. Guys have to remember that feeling and try not to feel that way this year. Try to be better, go out there with that mentality and win games.”

Coming off multiple injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2020, Severino has rejoined the Yankees’ rotation at a very opportune time. your countryman Francelis “Frankie” Montás did not pitch well and was injured after arriving in New York from Oakland. And with the trade of Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals for now super slugger Harrison Bader, the starting staff was in need of a boost. That is what Severino intends to give, who came out without a decision in the aforementioned start against Cleveland.

Now the opponent is the mighty Astros, the team with the best record in the American League in 2022 and seeking to reach its fourth World Series in the last six seasons. Houston will go with quisqueyano lefty Framber Valdez on the mound on Thursday.

“It’s a team that has tremendous talent, a power team that has shown they have enough to be here in the playoffs,” Severino said of Houston, against whom he has a 3.82 career ERA in 37.2 innings in the regular season. . “We have to go to the field to play ball, give our best.”

So no revenge factor?

“For me, that’s in the past,” Severino said. “We have to focus on the present now. We have a team that beat us a couple of times, and we have to go out and give 100% and play good baseball.”