Luis Gil to Start for Yankees in Crucial World Series Game 4 Against Dodgers

Luis Gil is set to take the mound for the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a critical matchup as the Yankees trail in the series. Gil, a 26-year-old rookie, has emerged as a key figure in the Yankees’ rotation despite not being initially expected to play such a significant role this season. His opportunity arose after Gerrit Cole suffered an early-season elbow injury, and Gil has since capitalized on it, becoming a prime AL Rookie of the Year candidate.

Gil’s season has been marked by both highs and lows. Through mid-June, he was one of the best pitchers in baseball, carrying a 2.03 ERA and 3.08 FIP in his first 14 starts. However, his performance dipped in the second half of the season, with a 5.15 ERA over his final 15 starts. Despite this, he has shown flashes of excellence, including a six-inning, one-hit outing against the Cubs in September.

In his press conference ahead of Game 4, Gil expressed his excitement and readiness for the challenge. He described the opportunity to pitch in the World Series as “a dream come true” and emphasized the importance of controlling his emotions and staying focused on each pitch. Gil has maintained his sharpness by adhering to his season-long routines and focusing on improving his pitch control.

The Dodgers, on the other hand, will employ a bullpen game for Game 4, with Ben Casparius set to start. This strategy is due to the limited availability of their starting pitchers, with key players like Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto not on full rest and Walker Buehler having pitched in Game 3.

Gil praised the Yankees’ catchers, Jose Trevino and Austin Wells, for their crucial role in the team’s pitching strategy. He highlighted the importance of their synchronized approach in executing pitch plans, which has been a significant factor in the team’s success.

The pressure is high for the Yankees to capitalize on the Dodgers’ pitching vulnerabilities and turn the series around. With Gil’s preparation and the team’s resilience, the Yankees are hoping to level the series and gain momentum moving forward.