Yankees turn to Luis Gil for ALDS opener
The New York Yankees have chosen Dominican right-hander Luis Gil to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The matchup is set for Saturday at Rogers Centre, with Sportsnet carrying the game at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.
Gil’s latest outing against Toronto produced a solid result: he allowed one run on three hits and four walks over six innings in a Sept. 6 win. That performance helped set the tone for the ALDS opener, and the Yankees are hoping he can deliver a similar level of effectiveness when the games matter most.
Gil’s path to the playoff start
The Yankees have watched Gil mature through a season disrupted by injury and late-season form. The Dominican right-hander didn’t make his season debut until Aug. 3 after suffering a lat injury in spring training. When fully healthy, he was productive, going 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 11 appearances (11 starts). His combination of control and stuff has made him a plausible option to eat innings and keep the Blue Jays’ lineup off balance early in the series.
Boone emphasized Gil’s readiness, saying, “Just feel like he’s ready for this. He’s in line for it … feel like Luis is ready to go.” The manager’s comments reflect confidence that Gil can handle the postseason pressure and contribute meaningful innings in a high-stakes environment.
Past postseason experience and current expectations
Gil’s playoff resume up to this point is modest. He made two career postseason starts last year, compiling a 6.75 ERA. While the postseason is a different stage, the Yankees believe he’s progressed enough to handle the challenge in Game 1 and set the tone for the rotation in the series.
New York will also have a clear plan for the rest of the series. In addition to Gil, the club announced that Max Fried will be the starter for Game 2 on Sunday. Fried, a three-time All-Star, enjoyed a standout regular season with a 19-5 record, a 2.86 ERA and a 1.101 WHIP over 195.1 innings. Fried’s presence gives the Yankees a high-ceiling option for the middle game of the series and helps stabilize the rotation with two legitimate playoff-caliber arms early in the ALDS.
What this move signals for the Yankees
Choosing Gil to open the series signals a couple of strategic notes for New York. First, it underscores the team’s trust in Gil’s ability to throw strikes and manage a postseason lineup in Toronto, where the ball can carry and conditions can influence timing. Second, it sets a potentially favorable rhythm for the Yankees’ bullpen usage, with Fried lined up for Game 2 and a bullpen plan tailored to bridge to a potential Game 3 and beyond.
Manager Aaron Boone’s comments Monday indicated a longer view for the rotation, prioritizing command and the ability to work multiple innings if needed. The ALDS is a short series, but even in that format, the Yankees will value Gil’s ability to navigate early batters and keep the pace of the game in their favor right from the first pitch.
Looking ahead
Saturday’s game at Rogers Centre promises to be a tactical affair, with both teams aiming to seize early momentum. For Gil, it’s a chance to translate spring training patience and a late-season surge into a playoff performance that resonates beyond a single outing. For the Blue Jays, it will be about solving the Yankees’ rookie-turned-regular-season contributor and applying pressure in the middle innings.
