CHICAGO — Luis Severino was looking forward to a Tuesday showdown against Gerrit Cole in the Subway Series at Citi Field.
But the Mets ace won’t get the opportunity to face his old team following manager Carlos Mendoza’s decision to reconfigure the rotation.
Severino will now pitch on normal rest Sunday against the Cubs, with David Peterson sliding into the series opener against the Yankees.
As explained to Severino, the decision was about wanting to pitch a right-hander against the Cubs and another lefty against the Yankees.
The Mets have lefty Sean Manaea aligned to pitch Wednesday in the Subway Series.
“It’s matchup based,” Mendoza said.
Was Severino disappointed by the decision?
“A little bit,” Severino told The Post on Friday before the Mets beat the Cubs, 11-1, at Wrigley Field. “But I will get another chance [in the Subway Series] after the All-Star break and, hopefully, I will use everything in my power to make that happen.”
The Yankees and Mets are scheduled to reconvene July 23-24 in The Bronx.
Severino noted that pitching in that series would have a little extra meaning because it would be at Yankee Stadium in a homecoming of sorts.
The right-hander spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Yankees before signing a one-year contract worth $13 million with the Mets last winter.
Severino is 4-2 with a 3.52 ERA in 14 starts this season.
Peterson pitched against the Rangers on Wednesday and allowed two earned runs over six innings.
The left-hander is 3-0 with a 3.97 ERA in four starts after spending the first two months of the season on the injured list continuing his rehab from offseason hip surgery.
In two career appearances against the Yankees (one as a reliever), Peterson has a 10.38 ERA. He will be pitching on five days’ rest.
Severino, who allowed six earned runs over 6 ¹/₃ innings in his start Tuesday in Texas, said he was informed Thursday night of the change in pitching plans.
But team brass first wanted to ensure he was comfortable pitching on regular rest Sunday.
“I told them I would do anything they needed me to do,” Severino said. “But that was going to be fine, going out there and pitching against the Yankees.”
