A Bump in the Road, or Rolling Down Gil? Astros 7- Yankees 4

About Last Night: A Bump in the Road, or Rolling Down Gil? Astros 7- Yankees 4

By Tim Kabel

April 27, 2026

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The Yankees came into Sunday's game riding an eight-game winning streak and having won the first five games of the current nine-game road trip. They had already won the series against the Astros but were looking for a sweep. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men, don't you Lenny? Luis Gil was not up to the challenge. He gave up six runs on five hits and three walks in four innings. He didn't strike anyone out. Gil’s ERA for the season is 6.05 and his record is 1-2.

The Yankees attempted to rally in the 9th inning, but it was a case of too little, too late. The loss in and of itself is relatively inconsequential. The Yankees are on a tremendous run. I remember when Houston used to be a house of horrors for the Yankees. They couldn't win there to save their lives. That is no longer the case. Now, it's as if the Yankees are the home team in Houston. Maybe they should wear ten-gallon hats with the NY logo on them.  A sweep would have been nice. It would have accumulated another win against an opponent that was on the skids. The fact that they lost this one game is not a big deal.

However, there are a few aspects of the loss that could be a big deal. First, Houston's starting pitcher, Spencer Arrighetti pitched very well.  So far this season, after two unspectacular years, he is pitching like Dave Righetti. He is now 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA. If the Astros right their ship this season, he could play a major role in that and could become a formidable adversary for the Yankees should the teams meet in the playoffs.

While Arrighetti is developing and improving as a pitcher, Luis Gil is not. The 2024 American League Rookie of the Year continued his fall from grace yesterday. Gil missed most of last season and was underwhelming when he returned. He did not perform well in the ALDS against the Blue Jays. Reportedly, the Yankees were less than impressed with his physical conditioning and performance during Spring Training. Consequently, he began the season in the minors. Since his return to the Major Leagues, Gil has started three games. Other than his last start against the Red Sox, he has been extremely hittable. The Yankees are clearly dissatisfied with him, and he has been passed in the pecking order on the team by both Cam Schlittler and Ryan Weathers. Now he will be passed by someone else. After the game, Gil was sent to the minor leagues. It is quite likely that this game will be his last as a member of the Yankees starting rotation. Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole are slated to return. It is unclear who the Yankees will bring up to take Gil’s place in the rotation, but if it is Elmer Rodriguez, it is unlikely that Gil will return to the Yankees in any capacity this season. He has seemingly frittered away his opportunity and his position. He has gone from the Rookie of the Year to becoming an afterthought and persona non grata.

It is easy to say that the Yankees don't have to worry about Luis Gil. They have plenty of other pitchers. Cole and Rodon will be returning. Clarke Schmidt is also likely to return in the middle of the year. They also have Elmer Rodriguez, Carlos Lagrange, and Ben Hess among others in the minor leagues. All of that is true. However, the fact that the pitcher who was the Rookie of the Year a mere two years ago has been banished to the minor leagues is a problem. Gil is a major asset who is no longer serviceable. Ideally, the Yankees can figure out a way to salvage Gil and his career in the minor leagues. Perhaps he will be more effective as a relief pitcher. The Yankees need to do something with him so that he can be an effective member of the pitching staff.

So, while the loss to the Astros yesterday was not that significant in the grand scheme of things, the fact that it revealed a Houston pitcher on the upswing and a Yankees pitcher on a downward spiral could prove to have lasting significance.

A Few Tidbits: 

·       The Yankees currently have the best record in the American League at 18-10.

·       Arrighetti is the first Astros starter to pitch 7 innings since Lance McCullers, Jr. on March 30th. 

·       Aaron Judge, celebrating his 34th birthday, hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. It was the third homer he has hit on his birthday. Judge’s 3 birthday homers ties Yogi Berra and Graig Nettles for second most among the Yankees trailing only Lou Gehrig's 4.

·       Jazz Chisholm, Jr. continues to heat up. He went 2-4 and although it's not mind blowing, he has raised his average to .216. 

·       Although he was hitless yesterday, Jose Caballero is batting.271 for the season. He has three home runs, eleven RBI, and ten stolen bases. He has also played very well at shortstop. None of that matters because the Yankees are dead set about returning Anthony Volpe to the starting lineup as soon as possible. We were told that he would return sometime in May or possibly June. May 1st now seems to be the target date. Volpe, who reportedly has a new and improved swing, is batting .267 in his minor league rehab and has reportedly looked a bit shaky on defense. I'm not sure why there is such a rush to bring him back to the Major Leagues. It would make more sense to take some time and let him develop. However, Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone are champing at the bit to get Volpe back as the starting shortstop. I suspect that if Volpe comes back and struggles, there will be great a great outcry for Caballero to return to the starting lineup. It won't happen, but it could become a problem.

·       Jasson Dominguez is currently batting .326 with three home runs fifteen RBI, and eight stolen bases. He has improved his right-handed hitting and his defense, which were both issues the Yankees wanted him to address. Trent Grisham was 0-4 yesterday and is batting .160 for the season. Riddle me this: why is Volpe being rushed up to take over from Caballero while Dominguez lingers in the minor leagues and Grisham struggles in the Bronx?

The Yankees hope to start a new winning streak tonight when they face the Rangers at 8:05 PM at Globe Life Field.  Max Fried, (3-1, 2.40 ERA) will face Jack Leiter, (1-1, 4.97 ERA). Let's hope that Leiter is out of fluid and the Yankees win the game.