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Breaking Down Yankees’ Decision to Start Luis Gil in ALDS Game 1

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Oct 3, 2025 6:37 PM ET

Highlights

Yankees name Luis Gil as Game 1 starter in ALDS against Blue Jays
Gil missed the first half of 2025 with a lat injury before returning in August
He went 4–1 with a 3.32 ERA and 41 strikeouts in the second half

The New York Yankees answered one of their biggest October questions on Friday. Manager Aaron Boone announced that Luis Gil will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Rogers Centre against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Gil gets the nod over rookie Will Warren, setting the stage for a high-pressure test in a ballpark where the Yankees went just 1–6 this season. Boone’s preference for swing-and-miss stuff and recent head-to-head success against Toronto is clear in this decision.

Why Gil

Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, earned the assignment with a strong late-season stretch and a September showcase against these very Blue Jays.

On Sept. 6 in the Bronx, the 26-year-old right-hander threw six innings of one-run ball, striking out seven in a 3–1 Yankees win. That outing gave Boone a clear picture of how Gil can attack Toronto’s right-handed heavy lineup.

His power fastball-slider combination is designed to miss bats. Against a lineup that punishes mistakes, Boone is betting that Gil’s ability to generate strikeouts will relieve pressure on a bullpen that has been under scrutiny all week.

Gil’s 2025 Outlook: Return From Injury, Strong Metrics, Some Flags

Gil missed all of the first half of 2025 due to a high-grade lat strain sustained in spring training, delaying his return until August. Once healthy, he went 4–1 with a 3.32 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 1.40 WHIP, per ESPN stats.

He also showed solid underlying metrics: against batters, his average exit velocity sits at ~ 89.5 mph with a hard-hit rate of 35.9% and barrel percentage of 7.7%, per Baseball Savant. According to FanGraphs, his run to date shows signs of fatigue, with projections estimating his full-season ERA closer to ~ 4.34, but in short-season form, he’s demonstrated the swing-and-miss upside that Boone likely rewarded.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil hands the ball to manager Aaron Boone after being taken out of the game against the Cincinnati RedsBrad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Risk Factor

Gil’s postseason track record is thin. He has pitched just four playoff innings in his career, allowing three runs for a 6.75 ERA. He has also shown stretches of command issues, which can inflate pitch counts quickly. In Toronto, where the Yankees struggled all year, even one shaky inning could tilt the opener.

Still, Boone’s history has been to trust the arm with the higher ceiling in big spots. Choosing Gil over Warren fits that pattern.

The Bigger Rotation Picture

Gil’s assignment sets up the Yankees’ pitching plan for the rest of the series. Max Fried, who was ruled out of a short-rest start, lines up for Game 2 on regular rest. Carlos Rodón follows in Game 3, with rookie Cam Schlittler available later in the series after his 12-strikeout performance in the Wild Card clincher.

Warren is expected to move into the bullpen as a multi-inning option. That gives Boone insurance if Gil runs into trouble early, while also reshaping the roster bubble at the back end of the pen.

The Challenge Ahead

The Blue Jays hold home-field advantage after winning the season series 8–5, including a 6–1 mark at Rogers Centre. They have not announced their Game 1 starter, but Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber are both options, with rookie Trey Yesavage also in the mix.

For the Yankees, opening with Gil is a gamble on talent over track record. If he repeats his September success, it could flip the momentum in a building that has been unforgiving. If not, Boone will be turning to his bullpen earlier than planned.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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