Yankees name Luis Gil to start ALDS Game 1 vs Blue Jays
The New York Yankees on Friday announced that Dominican right-hander Luis Gil will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The opener is set for Saturday at Rogers Centre, with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) and broadcast by Sportsnet. Gil, who has been building toward this moment after a delayed start to the season, will take the ball for the postseason opener with everything on the line for a Yankees club chasing another deep run in October.
Gil’s season arc and the road back to October
Gil’s 2024 season featured a circuitous path back to health and performance. The right-hander made six starts this year after missing time in spring training with a lat injury, finishing with a 4-1 record and a 3.32 ERA in 11 appearances. His accumulation of innings came in the latter part of the season, culminating in a strong six-inning effort against the Blue Jays on Sept. 6 in which he allowed one run on three hits and four walks. That outing provided a blueprint for what the Yankees hope to see in a postseason setting: pressure-free innings, efficient pitches, and a tempo that can keep the Jays off balance.
What manager Aaron Boone said and why he believes Gil is ready
Boone spoke confidently about Gil’s readiness for a high-stakes start. “Just feel like he’s ready for this. He’s in line for it … feel like Luis is ready to go,” the manager told reporters on Friday. The captain’s voice carried a clear message: Gil has earned the moment, and the Yankees trust his delivery and demeanor under the bright lights of October baseball.
Rotation plans beyond Game 1
In addition to naming Gil for Game 1, Boone revealed that Max Fried will start Game 2 on Sunday. Fried, a three-time All-Star who spent the season in elite form, went 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.101 WHIP over 195.1 innings. The combination gives New York a veteran, high-quality option in a tightly contested best-of-five series and helps the Yankees anticipate favorable matchups as the series progresses.
Context and what to watch in the ALDS opener
Gil’s postseason track record before this season is modest by some standards—he made two postseason starts last year and posted a 6.75 ERA. Still, the opportunity in Game 1 is a chance to set the tone, especially against a Blue Jays squad that has proven dangerous at times this season. The Yankees will lean on Gil’s fastball command and breaking-ball feel while managing workloads with the bullpen in mind.
Key angles for the game
• Opposing lineup: Toronto is formidable with a mix of contact hitters and power, requiring Gil to locate across the strike zone and mix speeds.
• Mapping the bullpen: If Gil runs into trouble, the Yankees have to protect the lead with late-inning options that can bridge to a secure finish.
• Postseason pressure: Early outs and a quick pace could be crucial, given the potential stresses that come with a series-deciding environment.
The bottom line
With Game 1 in Toronto, the Yankees are putting a trusted starter in a position to seize momentum from the outset. If Gil can replicate that Sept. 6 performance and push deep into the game, New York will gain a crucial edge as it eyes a championship run. The pairing with Fried in Game 2 adds important depth to an ambitious rotation, and the Yankees will look to capitalize on homegrown pitching to navigate a tight ALDS.
