Superman Severino Helps Lead Yankees Past Toronto

I don't often watch the Yankees pre- and postgame shows on the YES Network, because they have such a scripted feel to them. Same goes for the cut-ins (or, whatever they're called) during the final innings of the games. But scripted or not, what Jack Curry said in last night's cut-in was spot on. I paraphrase:

"I want to know where the phone booth is, because he goes from Clark Kent as a starter to Superman as a reliever."

The "he" Curry was talking about was, of course, pitcher Luis Severino. Severino has eight losses on the season, and all eight of them have come as a starter. Both his wins have come as a reliever. He has done very well in non-decision roles out of the bullpen as well: last night he pitched three scoreless innings in the Yankees' 2-0 win against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The difference between starter and reliever is SO big that, it would be insanity on the Yankees' part to put him back into the rotation at this point. He should be added to the list of failed starters who have become outstanding relievers, such as Dellin Betances and Mariano Rivera. I'm not saying he'll be as good as those two, but even if he's the reliever Phil Hughes was, it's a win-win situation.

Severino, along with starter Bryan Mitchell and closer du jour Tyler Clippard, led the Yankees to their first three-game sweep of the season. The fact that it came against the Toronto Blue Jays makes it extra special. The fact that it knocked Toronto out of first place is almost other-worldly. Perhaps the tide is finally turning against this team, which has owned the Yankees for the past few seasons.

So now the Yankees are just 2.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot, and just 4.5 games out of first place in the division. Of course, they cannot stop now. Losing three out of four to the Rays after sweeping the Blue Jays would be beyond horrible. Put the pedal to the metal guys, and get it done!