Mets Luis Severino dialed into playoff mode for Red Sox star

CHICAGO Luis Severino has plenty of experience facing Boston over the years in the heated context of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. In that regard, his Monday start at Citi Field will be somewhat different, bordering on just another game. But since the Mets right-hander is treating each start these days regardle s of the opponent as almost a playoff game, he realizes there is little room for letdown. From now on, its a must-win series for us, Severino said Sunday before the at Guaranteed Rate Field. We have to win every series if we want to stay in the playoff conversation. In 16 career starts against the Red Sox, hes 5-7 with a 4.06 ERA. He last faced them in June of last year, when he allowed three earned runs Kris Dunn Jersey over five innings in a lo s at Fenway Park. New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino (40) pitches in the first inning when the New York Mets played the Miami Marlins Saturday, August 17, 2024. Robert Sabo for NY Post Severino took a line drive off the top of his right foot in his last start on Wednesday that might have contributed to his mediocre outing against the Diamondbacks in which he allowed four earned runs over 4 / innings. Explore More But Severino threw a normal bullpen se sion over the weekend and said he doesnt anticipate the foot will be an i sue. Right now, its normal, Severino said. Hopefully, they dont hit me there anymore. Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth for his 16th save. It was his fourth appearance in five days. That is why we protected him for the whole year, manager Carlos Mendoza said. Even when he was down, coming off a year he was off the whole year, the way he is throwing the ball and bouncing back, there was a reason we [limited him] early on and now its go time. New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz reacts after a fly out against the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning at Citi field in Queens, New York. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST 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! Diaz pitched three straight days (the first time this season he had that kind of workload) beginning on Wednesday. Reed Garrett gave the Mets a fifth straight scorele s appearance by pitching a perfect eighth with one strikeout. Hes throwing strikes, that is what it comes down to, Mendoza said. Not only getting ahead, but limiting the 3-2 counts just putting hitters away earlier in the count. When he gets in trouble, its usually deep in counts, the walks. Its good to see him execute pitches in a one-run game. Toni Kukoc Jersey