The New York Yankees know that the Baltimore Orioles are their biggest threat to win the American League East division. However, they have started the 2024 season really well. So far, the NY side has lost only one series and tied just one series, but they have won the rest. The credit goes to their powerful offense, and the pitchers have done a decent job so far. They have been missing the services of their ace pitcher, Gerrit Cole. Last year, the ace of the Bronx Bombers won the American League Cy Young Award.
But in Spring Training, Cole sustained a severe right elbow inflammation, which got his name on the 60-day Injured List. In the offseason, the Yankees could not land Blake Snell. As a result, the pitching department looked shaky. But without Cole, it seemed even weaker on paper. However, starters like Nestor Cortes, Marcus Stroman, Luis Gil, and Carlos Rodon have been impressive so far. Lately, Gil did something that a Yankees pitcher has not done in the last ten years.
What Did Luis Gil Do That Was So Rare For The Yankees?
The right-handed pitcher Luis Gil dominated the mound on Wednesday. He went 6.1 innings scoreless. Gil just gave away a couple of hits and a walk. Moreover, he struck out five hitters. As per Stathead’s Katie Sharp, Gil’s performance was one of a kind that has not happened in the last decade of team history. The last Yankees pitcher to go with at least 6.1 scoreless IP and two or fewer hits so early in their career (13th game or even earlier) was Masahiro Tanaka back in 2014 (April 16). Gil is just 25 years old. In 2024, he is now 2-1 so far.
As of now, Luis Gil posted a 3.19 ERA, 40 strikeouts after pitching 31.0 innings. Generally, teams salivate over the kind of swing and miss stuff that Gil has been showing off lately, as per Fastball on FanNation. He has been around the big league for a while now. Moreover, the RHP debuted in Major League back in 2021. He was impressive in six starts with a 3.07 ERA. But he just made one appearance in 2022 before he got injured. Later, he missed the whole 2023 season. Anyway, last year, the Yankees had a disastrous season. However, there are doubts whether the NY side will keep him or sell him next offseason.
The Other Hurlers Of The Bronx Bombers Are Doing Fine Too
Marcus Stroman had an impressive start to his Pinstripes career. Moreover, Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodon have been a bit shaky but not as bad as last year. Then, there is Clay Holmes. On Wednesday, Holmes got his 10th save as the Yankees won 2-0 in Baltimore.
He tossed 1.2 innings that went scoreless. So far, in 2024, Holmes has not given away an earned run. On Thursday, the two AL East teams will finish off their series. Apparently, Carlos Rodon will take the ball for the Yankees. As of now, Rodon is 2-1 with an ERA of 2.48. But Fastball reported that as of now the Orioles have not yet named their starting pitcher.
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