From Bryan Hoch:
There has been some discussion about the Yankees stashing Luis Gil in the bullpen for the playoff push, where he could be used to extinguish rallies. Performances like Friday’s make it difficult to imagine taking him out of the rotation.
Yet the contest marked a potential preview of how the late innings could be handled moving forward. Gil returned from the injured list to throw six scoreless innings of one-hit ball before Luke Weaver recorded his first career save, sealing the Yankees’ 3-0 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
“The more innings that I pitched, I was feeling more comfortable and loose on the mound,” Gil said through an interpreter. “The arm was feeling good and in a good rhythm. I definitely felt that towards the end. I had more velo and was feeling stronger.”
After Anthony Rizzo was honored with a video tribute in his return to Wrigley, the 2016 World Series champion doffing his cap multiple times to the fans, Gil showcased why he should be entrusted with crucial innings down the stretch.
What a performance by Luis Gil! He probably deserves the featured image, but come on, what a cool thing for Rizzo, right?
Luke Weaver became the closer today, and while he was a bit too nervous (he said after the game that he basically blacked out for the inning), I think he’ll do fine in the role. He’s a much more straightforward closer than Clay Holmes.
How long does anyone believe this will last with our new closer? Yeah, me neither.
am very excited about Schmidt day
We’ll see, he was never much good as a starter until this season. Last year his era+ was 93 and his FIP 4.42. Did he figure it out at age 28? Maybe. Hope so.
Gil OTOH might continue to be an Uber ace, or at least a Lyft ace, or fade away like Michael Pineda.
Schmidt was inconsistent last year, which lead to his overall below average performance, but the pieces for a very good pitcher were there. He wouldn’t be the first player to figure it out in his late 20s. Also, last year was basically his only year as a starter in the ML, he had 5 starts across three years coming into 2023.
What gives me the most hope is he seems to have figured out his problems with LHBs who OPSed 875 against him in 2023. Hey I’m happy to have a rotation with huge upside of Cole, Gil, Clarke and Rodon. Stroman would not be the worst #5 and I like Nestor as a spot starter middle innings guy (BA against 220 first two innings)
Yeah, Stroman really has a MUCH different feel when he’s the fifth guy in the rotation. I still think they should have sent him to the bullpen to avoid him vesting his 2026 player option, but that time has passed (it vested in his last shitty start).
I think stroman would be a strong rp, moreso than cortes, but eh
Just here to ask who still wants Rortvedt as out catcher?
Rortvedt and Higgy still both have more bWAR than Trevino.
But yes, the fact that Rortvedt is a lefty definitely would make him kind of useless paired with Wells.
LOL the White Sox are a national game tonight. I guess I’m not the only one who wants to see them lose 130
Tough take.
First inning RISP Woes. oh Judge?