Gil gets Game 1 assignment for ALDS
The New York Yankees on Friday confirmed that right-hander Luis Gil will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday at Rogers Centre. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT and will be carried by Sportsnet. The decision signals a vote of confidence in Gil, who has shown the potential to anchor New York’s postseason rotation.
Past performance vs. the Blue Jays adds momentum
Gil’s performance against Toronto in his most recent meeting gave the Yankees reason to believe he can handle the pressure. On Sept. 6, he allowed one run on three hits and four walks over six innings in a win over the Blue Jays. While the base paths were busy that day, he kept Toronto in check long enough for New York to pull away, a vibe manager Aaron Boone cited as a sign that Gil is ready for what’s ahead in October.
Boone’s endorsement
“Just feel like he’s ready for this. He’s in line for it … feel like Luis is ready to go,” Boone said on Friday. The Yankees’ skipper underscored that Gil’s preparation, plus the way he finished the regular season, has the club comfortable entrusting him with the Game 1 duties in a high-stakes series.
Season arc: from late arrival to playoff starter
Gil’s season was a delayed sprint. He didn’t make his season debut until Aug. 3 after suffering a lat injury in spring training. In 11 starts this season, he went 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA, showing enough command and stamina to handle a playoff workload. His latest appearance came in the Yankees’ season finale last Sunday, but he was not included on New York’s wild-card roster. The request now is for him to carry his late-season momentum into the postseason and set a steady tone in the opener.
Postseason history and the bigger plan
Gil has limited big-stage experience, with his only two career postseason starts coming last year, when he pitched to a 6.75 ERA. While the numbers aren’t pristine, Boone and the Yankees clearly trust that Gil can adapt when the calendar flips to October. The Game 1 assignment is a chance for him to build confidence against a Blue Jays lineup that has shown both power and resilience this season.
Game 2 and the rest of the rotation
Boone also announced that Max Fried will start Game 2 on Sunday. Fried, who finished the regular season with a 19-5 record, recorded a 2.86 ERA and 1.101 WHIP over 195.1 innings. His addition to the rotation provides the Yankees with a formidable one-two punch in Games 1 and 2, giving the team a strong path to set up matchup advantages later in the series. The Yankees will be looking to carry the momentum from Gil’s start into the next game and beyond, leveraging depth and experience to navigate a potentially long series.
What this means for the Yankees
Starting Gil in Game 1 reflects a broader strategy: trust in a young pitcher who has shown growth and the ability to adapt to playoff intensity. The Blue Jays present a challenging opponent, but Gil’s recent form, combined with Fried’s proven track record, gives New York a credible foundation to advance. As the series unfolds, New York will lean on its bullpen and timely hitting to complement its rotation and give the club a path back to a familiar October spotlight.
