Yankees’ Luis Severino ‘in conversation’ for best in game, Aaron Boone says

Yankees ace Luis Severino pitched seven shutout innings and became the majors’ first 12-game winner in beating the Phillies on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 (6/26/18) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa. Severino struck out 9 and walked none.

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PHILADELPHIA — Luis Severino let it out there during a spring training interview that he wanted to elevate his pitching one more level in 2018.

The Yankees ace wanted to be better than last season when he finished third in the American League Cy Young voting as a 23-year-old pitching his first full season in the majors.

Severino wanted to improve to the point that he was considered in the same class as the best of the best starters in baseball … the Clayton Kershaws, Max Scherzers and Justin Verlanders of the world.

Coming up on the halfway point of this year’s 162-game regular-season journey, Severino has convinced his manager that he’s deserving of that lofty status.

“He’s certainly in that conversation,” Aaron Boone said after watching Severino improve to 12-2 with a 2.10 ERA on Tuesday night via seven shutout innings in the Yankees’ 6-0 win over the Phillies.

Phillies manager: Severino ‘dirty as you can possibly be’

This was Severino at his best on a night in which his fastball was clocked at triple digits early and late. He allowed just six hits, struck out nine and didn’t walk anyone.

Here’s more from Boone:

“We’ve seen all the Houston guys that are really, really good, but Sevy’s right there with them. It’s hard for me to imagine anyone being any better. That record in a lot of ways speaks for itself. The ability to get deep into games. He’s been really good against the elite competition it seems like as well.

“He’s putting himself in that conversation as the best in the game, there’s no doubt about it.”

Severino isn’t ready to say he’s there yet even though no other pitcher in baseball has a dozen wins and his ERA is fourth best in the majors among qualifying starters behind only Jacob deGrom (1.69), Verlander (1.82) and Scherzer (2.04).

“I have to wait until the season’s over to see because there is a lot of season coming,” said Severino, who also ranks third in the AL in innings and sixth in strikeouts. “There’s more than half. I just need to concentrate on throwing good pitches and throwing good games.”

Severino outpitched Phillies starter Jake Arrieta, a former NL Cy Young winner, on Tuesday night.

While Arrieta was getting hit hard allowing six runs, three earned, over five innings, the Phillies had just two baserunners reach second base in seven innings against Severino.

In the fifth, Severino struck out Andrew Knapp with a 100-fastball, then Maikel Franco with one that hit 101.

“They weren’t catching up to my fastball and I took advantage of that,” Severino said.

His dominance was very impressive, perhaps Verlander-esque.

“His fastball is always great, but it seemed to have an extra gear tonight,” Boone said. It was special.”

So is Severino, who is an early candidate along with Verlander to start for the AL in the All-Star Game, which will be played July 17 in Washington.

“It would mean a lot, but I’m not thinking about more than five days (ahead),” Severino said.

Next up for Severino probably is a start Sunday night at Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox, assuming Boone does the expected and brings back his No. 1 on regular rest instead of staying on turn and going with rookie Jonathan Loaisiga.

“If they ask me (to start Sunday), I’ll be ready,” Severino said. “I feel good. Everything is great. I want to face any team. I’m not scared of anybody.”

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.