New York Yankees: Luis Severino and Giancarlo Stanton just brought the World Series closer

The New York Yankees went into Houston the hunters, with dreams of destroying an empire. They will come out with dreams of building one.

The New York Yankees and Houston Astros game on Wednesday night under the wide Texas sky reminded most of us of Rome. A recent Twitter poll from the collective unconscious verified this belief.

They, like the Yankees, once had dreams of building an empire. But they could not defeat the already established Carthaginians, especially under Hannibal. Finally, a leader rose from the ranks who stopped their army and protected the Romans from further attack; he was known as the Shield of Rome.

All that meant was that the Romans could not lose, however. And a long stalemate would be almost equally as bad for both.

One spring a new leader was added to the effort, one who was able to go into Carthage, strike massive blows no other Roman could, and defeat the enemy in its home. He was known as the Sword.

That is in some ways analogous to the Yankees and their Astros opponents. Last year’s playoffs proved that New York could threaten Houston, but was not their equal. Instead, it was Houston that won the crown. And if the Yanks want what the Astros have, it is likely they will have to beat them to get it.

Now it looks like they can.

The Elephant in the Room

That is especially true now that Yankees ace Luis Severino pitched like the Astros owed him money on Wednesday. And protected the team completely from Houston’s incredibly potent offensive attack.

Yes, the Yankees had won the night before, and it was a win of immense importance. It not only allowed the Yankees to shred any air of invincibility the building might have engendered but also to win the road trip: The Angels sweep combined to give the team victories in four of the seven scheduled games already.

But no one is going to plan to win as the team did on Tuesday. They do, however, plan that their ace goes out and pitches his best against the best competition.

Luis Severino did that and so much more.

He was untouchable and in command of the field, and completely shut down Houston’s attack. And it didn’t look hard. He seems more than capable of doing that again this season, and possibly beyond.

This was also Luis Severino’s first significant move towards winning the Cy Young this season. And the Gold Glove. Soft come-backers made fielding easy, and his athleticism ensured he was on the first base bag before speedy Astros runners.

That the game was broadcast nationally on ESPN only helps those causes.

Defend, Then Attack

It was a big win, a statement game, for Luis Severino and the Yankees. And for Giancarlo Stanton.

That’s not just because he hit two home runs. Or that he looked more relaxed at the plate than he had all season. No, it’s because of who he did it to and where.

The Yankees lost the ALCS to the Astros because they could not score in Houston. It is as simple as that. In four games, the Yanks scored a total of three runs. And it was Dallas Keuchel who got it all started by blanking the Yanks over seven scoreless in game one.

The Bombers got to him in New York, but they couldn’t touch him in Houston. If the Yankees can’t beat Houston in Houston, though–if they can’t touch either Verlander or Keuchel there–then they probably can’t win a title, not this year.

History is Starting to Repeat Itself

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Last night, though, Giancarlo Stanton didn’t just touch Dallas Keuchel. He picked up a bat and beat him severely about the head and shoulders. And his two home runs and four RBI’s wounded Houston’s hopes.

This is an added benefit unknown when Giancarlo Stanton was signed. No one knew he could do what no other Yankee could do — or that he might be the true tipping point in their probable postseason battle with the ‘Stros.

Teams in all sports seek out players who excel against their biggest competition. Now it looks like the Bombers acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton brought just such a benefit, and that he is already an Astros’ and Dallas Keuchel killer.

When the Yanks beat the Stros on Tuesday night behind the mammoth, memorable home run of Gary Sanchez, the Bombers believed they could beat them in Houston. After their identical 4-0 shutout on Wednesday, with an untouchable pitcher and unstoppable hitter, they know they can.

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The Houston Astros know it, too. No matter what happens on Thursday, the New York Yankees have shown they can go in and beat the World Champs with big home runs and gutsy performances. Most importantly, they have plunged the fear of Yankees power deep into their Houston’s hearts.

And now the bleeding has started.

Luis Severino, Gabby Sanchez, Giancarlo Stanton and the rest of the Bronx Bombers might just have inflicted a mortal wound to the current regime. And begun building a new empire of their own. All thanks to the Sword and the Shield.