Bucky Dent, Yankees hero, throws out ceremonial first pitch before Game 3
Bucky Dent, who hit one of the most memorable home runs in Yankees history, throws out ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of AL Wild Card Series.
TORONTO – There was no hesitation about the Yankees’ Game 1 starter for the best-of-five AL Division Series.
“Just feel like he’s ready for this,’’ manager Aaron Boone said of Luis Gil, ready and rested to oppose the AL East champion Blue Jays in Saturday’s opener at Rogers Centre.
Boone had already decided to keep Will Warren as “an option’’ in the bullpen, with the Yankees still considering their final roster decisions.
Toronto will counter with veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman, who has run the scale against the Yanks- good starts, bad, and some in-between efforts.
Gausman has faced the Yankees four times this season, starting with a six-run, 2.2 inning clunker at the Stadium and finishing with two fine efforts.
On July 21 at Toronto, Gausman limited the Yankees to one run – a Giancarlo Stanton homer – over seven innings.
And on Sept. 5, at Yankee Stadium, Gausman held the Yanks to one run – also a Stanton home run – across eight innings, contributing to Toronto’s 8-5 record vs. Boone’s club this year.
Here’s how the Yankees might line up against Gausman for Game 1 at Rogers Centre:
Trent Grisham, CFAaron Judge, RFCody Bellinger, LFGiancarlo Stanton, DHBen Rice, 1BJazz Chisholm Jr., 2BAnthony Volpe, SSAustin Wells, CRyan McMahon, 3B
McMahon said he’s OK after tumbling over the railing and making a sensational catch of an eighth inning Jarren Duran foul pop in Thursday’s eighth inning, a 4-0 Wild Card winner-take-all Game 3 against Boston.
And Bellinger, who banged his left heel on the bases in Thursday night’s cincher against Boston, is good to go, said Boone.
Last year’s AL Rookie of the Year, Gil missed the season’s first four months due to a lat strain in spring training.
But he’s posted a 2.68 ERA in 10 starts after his initial comeback start.
“It hasn’t always been pretty necessarily, but we know what he’s capable of,’’ said Boone. “The bottom line is he’s gotten results since he’s come back, he’s not afraid out there.’’
On regular rest, lefty ace Max Fried will start Game 2 at Toronto, and the Yankees are expected to follow with Carlos Rodon in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium and rookie sensation Cam Schlittler, if there’s a Game 4.
Toronto’s rotation was undecided after Gausman, but the Yankees are in very good shape considering they lost ace Gerrit Cole to Tommy John surgery in spring training, and Clarke Schmidt (same injury) in July.
“It means a lot to us to have those guys around,” Gil said through an interpreter. “When you talk about Cole, with so much experience – they’re always finding a way to give you pointers and advice that you can try and implement…and make yourself a better pitcher.”