The Yankees announced hours before game two that Clarke Schmidt will get the ball to start game three in Kansas City, meaning Luis Gil will not factor into the starting rotation in the ALDS.
Schmidt, who saw a chunk of his season lost to a lat strain, pitched to a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts, including a 3.65 ERA in five starts after returning from the IL. In his final outing of the regular season back on Sept. 29, he allowed four runs in four innings against the Pirates while struggling with his command, walking four in that outing. Still, Boone like Schmidt in what could be a crucial, or potentially clinching, game three on the road.
“The best I can tell you is that I just feel like he’s the right guy in that game,” Boone said. “I have a lot of confidence in what both bring to the table. Hopefully we’re able to move on, and Luis is gonna find him back in the rotation as well if you move on in this thing.
“But right now, I think it’s best that he plays a role in the pen for us, and I just feel like Clarke is in a spot where he’s ready to go for game three.”
Gil, a Rookie of the Year candidate, pitched to a 3.51 ERA this season in 29 starts, but was roughed up in his last regular season outing, allowing six runs on six hits in 5.2 innings against Pittsburgh. That outing inflated his ERA to 5.03 over his final seven starts.
Schmidt did have early experience in his career out of the bullpen, but Boone said that didn’t factor much into his decision.
“As much as Clarke has had experience, he still hasn’t been down in the pen for a couple years, just like Luis,” Boone said. “That said, it’s the playoffs. There’s gonna be games, hopefully if you get long in this, where you get a little unorthodox and a starter ends up in a big moment in the back end of the game. Those things are gonna come up. I just want our guys ready for all things. But I just felt good about Clarke being the right choice for game three.”
As for Gil, he will be prepared to step into any kind of bullpen role that is needed, including bulk or high leverage spots.
“Any and all,” Boone said. “Probably in a perfect world you try and get him a clean inning. But it could be anywhere from where you need to fill some innings or in a certain game you get up against it and he's got to pitch in a big spot in an inning. We've got to be ready for all things.”