Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. Luis Severino grew up a Yankees fan. He still is a Yankees fan, he said. He also just wants to face off against the Yankees already. Im pretty excited about facing the Yankees, Severino Richie Palacios Jersey said Friday from Sutter Health Park before the and ahead of his expected start Sunday. Im trying to figure out what to throw [Aaron] Judge. Im going to bring everything I have out there. The long-awaited rematch between Severino a 2012 international signing out of the Dominican Republic who rose to become an ace in a sometimes brilliant, sometimes rocky tenure in The Bronx from 2015-23 and the Yankees did not develop last year, when the Mets reconfigured their rotation twice. They wanted to throw lefty pitchers against a Yankees team that did not hit lefties well. Manager Aaron Boone joked that Severino ducked us last year. Explore More The 2024 decision was not Severinos, who at the time joked that the Yankees right now only have two good hitters, referring to Judge and Juan Soto. How many good hitters do the Yankees have now? Im not sure, Severino said with a laugh from the home clubhouse. On this side [of the country], I have to look at the stats. This is like three hours behind. Definitely Judge is one, I can say that. As right-hander Luis Severino is llooking forward to finally getting a chance to face the Yankees. Getty Images The Yankees will see a different Severino, who has pitched well (3.62 ERA) in his first eight starts with the As with a deeper arsenal than he held in pinstripes. He also will look different, sporting the same beard he donned with the Mets and never could with the Yankees. CHECK OUT THE AND When Severino learned this spring that the Yankees were changing their facial hair policies, I was pi sed. I was mad, Severino said, again laughing. I was there, and I couldnt do that. But Im happy for the guys. Severino also is happy with a three-year, $67 million pact that was the result of a strong season in Queens and the As paying a premium to lure an established starter to a minor league ballpark. Luis Severino AP Severino acknowledged pitching in steamy, windy Sacramento is tough, but he has been effective thus far. And healthy. After injuries derailed his Yankees career, he made 31 starts (plus three postseason starts) with the Mets. He has had no hiccups with the As, believing he has better learned how to take care of his body. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! He has grown into a front-of-the-rotation pitcher, whom teammate JP Sears called a leader of a young rotation and particularly helpful with the Latin players. Severino is excited for Sunday and does not seem to hold anything against the Yankees after a tenure that ended with injuries and ineffectivene s. I love it there, Severino said of his first club. Even growing up, I was a Yankees fan. Im still a Yankees fan. I love those guys. They made me the pitcher I am, the man I am right now. Shane Mcclanahan Jersey