Without an acquired ace and with , the Mets clearest route toward a shutdown, Game 1 starter in the postseason would be for 2024 Luis Severino to morph into 2018 Luis Severino. On Wednesday, Severino pitched too much like the 2023 version. On the other side of the trade deadline, in which the Mets but not a star such as Blake Snell or Tarik Skubal, Severino did not inspire immediate confidence that the good pitcher he has settled into will grow back into the great pitcher he was years back in The Bronx. Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino reacts after giving up a home run in the third inning on July 31, 2024. Jason Szenes for the NY Post The strong righty lasted just three innings in which he let up six runs in an 8-3 lo s to the Twins in front of 28,875 at Citi Field, where the Mets finished off a stretch of 13 straight games and couldnt finish off a series sweep. After Thursdays off day will be a 10-day, 10-game, four-city trip that begins Friday in Anaheim. Blackburn will get the ball for the start of that series and join a rotation that also includes Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana and David Peterson. Explore More None holds the upside that Severinos arm can tap into. Weve got a good group of guys whove been in this situation before, whove been in the playoffs before, Severino said of the rotation. This is what we have, and were going to go out there and fight. No one will question the fight, but there are questions about how much Severino still has in the tank. Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino reacts after giving up a solo home to Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton on July 31, 2024. Jason Szenes for the NY Post He has been a bargain signing and pitched solidly, if not spectacularly, while continuing to add innings to an arm that might be showing its mileage. On Wednesday, manager Carlos Mendoza became concerned when he saw 93 and 94 mph readings on Severinos fastball. He checked on his starting pitcher, who said he was fine. The trainers checked on Severino, who continued saying Chadwick Tromp Jersey he was fine. His average four-seamer was down nearly 1 / miles per hour. His slider, which had averaged 86.9 mph this season, dropped to an average of 84.1 mph in 10 uses. The lower velocity translated to worse results, serving up two home runs, six hits and two walks while recording just nine outs. My next start, I know my fastballs going to be there, Severino said after his shortest start of the season. Its just one of those days. Its a long season, so youre going to have some outings like that. Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets follows through on his eighth inning base hit against the Minnesota Twins. Getty Images Mets Mark Vientos reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer during the second inning. AP I dont expect to be 97, 98 [mph] every outing. Youre going to have some struggles through the season, and it happens to be today and hopefully not hopefully I need to get better, and it will get better. Severino is up to 123 / innings after throwing 89 / in his disastrous 2023 and a total of 120 innings from 2019-22, when he dealt with various injuries. It is po sible that Severino and the Mets are right, and that he will bounce back well from one dud in a long season in which his ERA is 3.93. But his velocity and corresponding results will be worth monitoring as his workload keeps climbing. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Just one of those days where he didnt have it, Mendoza said of an afternoon that began heading south in the second inning. Byron Buxton launched a 435-foot bomb into left-center to get the Twins started. They then teed off against Severino in the third. Minnesota sent eight men to the plate in that frame, including four straight hitters driving in runs. Mets right fielder Tyrone Taylor reacts after he strikes out swinging to end the 9th inning. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST Trevor Larnachs RBI single tied the game at 2-2. After Larnach stole second, Max Keplers single to right gave the Twins the edge. Royce Lewis well-placed double down the third-base line added some cushion, and Matt Wallners demolished homer bumped the lead to 6-2. I think the only thing that was OK today was the fastball, said Severino, who relied on the le ser heater because he couldnt rely on much else. Changeup was not there, slider, sweeper was not there. Severino finished the third inning but was replaced for the fourth, watching the Mets (57-51) drop just a third game in their past 10. Mets pitcher Tylor Megill walks back to the dugout after ending the fourth inning. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST A Mets offense that had come alive was mostly put to sleep against Pablo Lopez and the Twins bullpen, who combined to give up just six hits (and just four entering the ninth), the runs coming from a Mark Vientos two-run home run and a ninth-inning ground out from Francisco Alvarez. Huascar Ynoa Jersey
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