After a thrilling Game 1, the Yankees find themselves down 0-1 in the 2024 World Series to the Dodgers. Heading into Game 2 in Los Angeles on Saturday night, manager Aaron Boone addressed the media and spoke on a number of topics…
Luis Gil to start World Series Game 4
Boone confirmed that Gil will take the mound for the Yankees in what could be a pivotal Game 4 at Yankee Stadium. It would be the rookie’s second career postseason start and will look to build upon his solid outing against the Guardians in the ALCS.
In Game 4 of that series, Gil allowed two runs on three hits, and three walks over four innings of work. He also struck out three batters.
Following the matchup between Carlos Rodon and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Saturday, Game 3 will see Clarke Schmidt take on Walker Buehler on Monday.
Gil has had a great rookie campaign and is certainly in the AL Rookie of the Year conversation. In 29 starts, the 26-year-old went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA (1.19 WHIP) with 171 strikeouts over 151.2 innings pitched.
The one decision Boone may want back from Game 1
The big talking point after Game 1’s loss was whether Boone should have gone to Nestor Cortes with the game on the line in the 10th inning. The southpaw hadn’t pitched since Sept. 18 and would end up serving the pitch that Freddie Freeman deposited into the stands for a walk-off grand slam.
After a day to reflect, Boone was asked if there was any decision he would want back and his answer may surprise some.
“Do I send [Luke Weaver] out for a third up in the 10th,” Boone answered. “That’s the one that certainly I could make a case for in my head. We’d worry about the third up with him and where that leaves us if that doesn’t go according to plan. I haven’t done a third up, necessarily, with him. That’s the one. The other ones I would double down on.”
Weaver got out all five batters he faced on 19 pitches but with the Yankees taking a 3-2 lead in the top of the 10th, the Yankees skipper could have gone to his closer to try and take Game 1. The combination of Jake Cousins and Cortes just could not slam the door on Los Angeles.
The one benefit of Weaver’s outing was his efficiency and he is likely available for Game 2, which he may not have been if he pitched the 10th on Friday.
Aaron Judge having better at-bats
Judge’s performance in this postseason continues to be dissected and after a 1-for-5 day in Game 1, even more so.
Although Judge had a hit, he did come up short when he could have driven the go-ahead run in the ninth inning. Despite that, Boone is encouraged by what he’s seen from his captain.
“I thought his last at-bat was really good. It looked like when Aaron is rolling to me,” Boone said. “He had quiet takes and [Blake] Treinen is as tough of a matchup right on right.
“I really liked that at-bat from him and hopefully, that jumpstarts him into today too.”
In the ninth, the Dodgers intentionally walked Juan Soto to put runners on second and first with two outs for Judge. Treinen came in and got Judge to fly out on a 1-2 fastball in the strike zone to end the threat. The look on Judge’s face showed that he knew he just missed a pitch to drive, which has been often the case for the presumptive AL MVP this October.
So far this postseason, Judge is 6-for-36 with two home runs and six RBI.
Read the full article here
