Yanks tab Gil, Fried for Games 1 and 2; Rodón and Schlittler lined up for G3, G4

TORONTO – Luis Gil leaned on the dugout railing, watching Cam Schlittler mow down the Red Sox with poise. It was the biggest reason why the Yankees packed their bags for Toronto and an American League Division Series date with the Blue Jays.

As a pitcher and a competitor, Gil can appreciate the historic nature of Schlittler’s 12-strikeout performance, which manager Aaron Boone said will be “talked about when a lot of us are gone.” Now it’s Gil’s turn, tasked with carrying that momentum north for Saturday’s Game 1.

“Man, that was impressive to see,” Gil said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “He’s such a young talent. I think what he was able to do last night, it just motivated everybody to keep on going further and keep on battling.”

Boone on Friday announced Gil as the Yankees’ probable starter for the opener, matching the 27-year-old against veteran Kevin Gausman. Max Fried will start Game 2 on Sunday, and then Boone said the team would "line it up as you would think" in subsequent games, indicating that left-hander Carlos Rodón and Schlittler would likely get the assignments for Games 3 and 4.

The Yankees had been weighing Gil against rookie Will Warren, who will instead continue in a relief role after residing in the bullpen for the Red Sox series.

"I just feel like [Gil is] ready for this," Boone said. "He's in line for it. We decided for now we want to keep [Will] Warren an option in the 'pen, and we feel like Luis is ready to go."

For now, the Yankees’ focus is on carrying forward what they did in the last two games against Boston, and they believe their best bet is in handing the ball to the reigning American League Rookie of the Year.

Gil went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts last season, narrowly edging the Orioles’ Colton Cowser for the award.

This has been a more trying campaign. After missing four months with a lat strain, Gil returned Aug. 3 and went 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts, including a Sept. 6 win over Toronto.

“It’s tough whenever you go through an injury,” Gil said. “You never want to get injured, and they’re very unexpected when they happen. I feel very good right now where I’m at today. The important thing is that we’re here today, and we have a really good chance, playing in the postseason. I’ll give it everything I have.”

The Yankees went 8-3 when Gil took the mound, including a win in Sunday’s Game 162 against the Orioles, but command and velocity have presented an ongoing issue.

The numbers tell the story. Gil’s fastball averaged 95.3 mph, down from 96.6 last season, and it’s also flatter. That’s why opponents are hitting him harder — his expected slugging percentage against has dropped from the 72nd percentile to the 39th, while exit velocity and hard-hit rate have also slipped.

“It hasn't always been pretty necessarily, but we know what he's capable of,” Boone said. “The bottom line is, he's gotten results since he's come back. He's not afraid out there. His delivery and strike-throwing is important for him, and when he's doing that, he's very capable.”

Those previously referenced Statcast numbers include a selection of starts where Gil admitted to easing off a bit, sacrificing velocity for command – something he attributed to “a matter of experience and growing as a pitcher.”

Under the postseason lights, it should be no surprise if Gil reaches back for something extra.

“I finally feel that I’m 100 percent,” Gil said. “Right now, you just have to go and battle.”