Luis Gil Tries To Get Right In Game 1 Against Chicago White Sox

Luis Gil had a poor effort in his last start. He lasted only 4.2 innings against the Minnesota Twins. With the Yankees about to clinch a playoff spot, the Yankees needed Gil to step up and seize the third slot in the playoff pitching rotation.

Since there are six games left in the season, and the Yankees’ magic number is three (meaning any combination of three wins by them or three losses by their playoff rivals), it was much more important for Gil to pitch well. The Yankees won this game 3-2, but Gil labored. Do you think he should make the Yankees’ playoff rotation?

Lineups For Luis Gil Start

The Chicago White Sox had Chase Meidroth leading off and playing center field. Kyle Teel was the catcher and batted second. Colson Montgomery batted third and was the shortstop. Miguel Vargas batted fourth and was the third baseman. Edgar Quero was the designated hitter and batted fifth. Brooks Baldwin was the center fielder and batted sixth. Lenyn Sosa was the first baseman and batted seventh. Will Robertson was the left fielder and batted eighth. Dominic Fletcher was the right fielder and batted ninth. 

For the Yankees, Trent Grisham played center field and led off. Aaron Judge was the right fielder and batted second. Cody Bellinger was the left fielder and batted third. Ben Rice was the first baseman and batted fourth. Giancarlo Stanton was the designated hitter and batted fifth.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. was the second baseman and batted sixth. Ryan McMahon was the Third baseman and batted seventh. Amed Rosario pinch-hit for him in the sixth inning and stayed in to play third base. Then Paul Goldschmidt came in to play defense at first base in the eighth inning. Anthony Volpe was the shortstop and batted eighth. Austin Wells was the catcher and batted ninth. 

News and Notes

Robot umpires are coming next season. The Automated Balls and Strikes system, or ABS, allows batters, catchers, and pitchers to challenge the call of a human umpire twice a game. If they are correct, they do not lose a challenge. The system uses the television footage and the strike on the screen to make the correct call. This season, the umpires have been terrible at calling balls and strikes, so the system is welcome. However, the system threatens to remove managers and batters from arguing balls and strikes.

With the season basically over, one of the most interesting things for the New York Yankees is whether Judge will win the Most Valuable Player in baseball for the second consecutive year. However, the race between him and Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners is very tight. It does look like Judge will win the American League batting title. He was hitting .400 into May and has had an unbelievable season.

Game Reaction

Oswaldo Cabrara joined the Yankees television crew in the broadcast booth in the second inning. The injured player was jubilant, as always. Gil saw his velocity dip, and he lacked control. He labored through the first three innings. He did not allow any runs, but he did throw 58 pitches. That was not the start the Yankees were looking for from the pitcher who is trying to make the Yankees’ playoff starting pitching rotation.

Judge was in right field again, for the fourth game in a row. That allowed Giancarlo Stanton, who is a beast, to be the designated hitter.

Scoring Summary

In the second inning, Wells doubled, and Chisholm Jr. scored. The Yankees took a 1-0 lead.  In the sixth inning, Montgomery hit a two-run home run, and Teel, who had reached on a misplay in the outfield, scored as well. It was 2-1, White Sox.

In the ninth inning, Volpe scored on a wild pitch by Brandon Eisert. The Yankees tied the game at 2. If they won tonight, they would be in the playoffs. Then, Caballero singled, and Judge scored. The Yankees won 3-2 and are headed to the playoffs for the 60th time in their illustrious history.

Conclusion

Gil seemed to acquit himself well in this game. What is likely to happen is that Gil will start the third playoff game, and Cam Schlittler will be the first pitcher up out of the bullpen to support him. The home run he gave up in the sixth inning was concerning. The Yankees play against the White Sox tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.