CHICAGO — Luis Severino has plenty of experience, having played against Boston for many years amid the intense Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.
In that respect, Monday's start at Citi Field will look a little different than other games, but the Mets right-hander knows there's little room for complacency as he treats each of his recent starts almost like playoff games, regardless of the opponent.
“Now it's a must-win series for us,” Severino said Sunday before the Mets beat the White Sox 2-0 at Guaranteed Rate Field for their third straight win. “We have to win every series if we want to stay in the playoff picture.”
He has faced the Red Sox 16 times in his career, with a record of 5 wins and 7 losses and an ERA of 4.06. The last time he faced them was last June, when he gave up 3 runs in 5 innings at Fenway Park and was the losing pitcher.
Severino hit a liner off the top of his right foot in his last appearance on Wednesday, which may have contributed to his mediocre performance against the Diamondbacks, where he gave up just four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
But Severino said he threw his normal bullpen routine over the weekend and doesn't expect any issues with his leg.
“It's normal for now,” Severino said. “I hope it doesn't hit me again.”
Edwin Diaz struck out three batters in the ninth inning to earn his 16th save, his fourth appearance in five days.
“That's why we protected him all year,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Even when he was down, when he was off all year, you just look at the way he throws and the way he bounces. [limited him] The time is early and now is the time.”
Diaz pitched three days in a row starting Wednesday (the first time he has done so this season).
Reid Garrett pitched a perfect eighth inning with one strikeout, giving the Mets their fifth consecutive shutout.
“He's throwing strikes, that's what it's all about,” Mendoza said. “Not just getting a lead, but limiting 3-2 counts and getting hitters early in the count. A lot of the times he gets in trouble are when the count is deep and he's walking bases. It's good to see him pitch well in games where we're down by one run.”
