The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry doesn’t look anywhere near finished this year. After 13 matchups this season, the Red Sox hold a commanding 10-3 edge over the Yankees. As the regular season winds down, both teams are on track to potentially face off again in the playoffs—a prospect that promises pure drama for baseball fans. Boston’s dominance has defined the rivalry so far, but with the Yankees surging late, a postseason meeting between these teams could turn into must-watch, high-stakes baseball. Given the tension, history, and shifting momentum, which Yankees player might swing the balance if these rivals collide again in October?

The Yankees boast a deep postseason roster, stacked with stars like Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Will Warren, and Carlos Rodón—players known for their clutch moments. Yet, on the latest episode of Talkin’ Yanks, analysts shined the spotlight on a different name: Luis Gil. Gil, returning from a lat strain and making his first appearances only last month, has quickly emerged as the Yankees’ dark horse for October. Why the hype?

“Luis Gil, obviously. Such an easy f****** hint by me… Well, he now has a 0.99 ERA and five career starts against Boston. Lowest by any Yankee pitcher versus the Red Sox in a minimum of five starts. So, if they’re playing the Red Sox, who’s your third starter? Make way. Make way. It is Luis Gil.” Talkin’ Yanks picked him as the No. 3 starter behind Max Fried and Cam Schlittler—thanks to Gil’s uncanny ability to torment the Red Sox just when the stakes are highest.

Well, since returning from the IL, Gil is on fire at the mound. He currently stands with a 4-1 record and a 2.83 ERA. However, it’s more about his record against the Red Sox that makes him the Yankees’ best bet to take on them in the postseason.

Just check the Friday’s game against the Red Sox and you know why Gil is their best bet. Notably, he threw 93 pitches, 53 of them for strikes, and finished with four SOs and four walks. And what’s more commendable is that despite two passed balls and a balk, he still managed to fire six shutout innings. And Boston didn’t record a single hit off him.

“His stuff was good, and he was able to get big outs. To buckle down in the fifth and hold them at bay was big. Hopefully, this is another springboard for him where he can get it rolling and get in rhythm,” Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone was all praise about Gil.

Currently, Gil is sitting with an incredible 0.99 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox, a Yankees franchise record. So, there’s no one else to pick to lead the postseason.

Gil over Rodon against the Red Sox

While Gil is projected as the third starter after Fried and Schlittler, it means Carlos Rodon will not take the mound against the Red Sox in the postseason.

Well, there’s nothing against Rodon, and with a 3.11 ERA and 16-8 record in 2025, Rodon could do wonders in the postseason. However, the one caveat is his struggles against the Red Sox. Reportedly, he’s carrying a 5.74 ERA in three starts against Boston this season, while Gil is dominating the matchup.

Compare that to Max Fried, who’s dominated the Sox with a 1.38 ERA in two outings; Gil should succeed Fried. Still, that doesn’t mean the Yankees don’t need Rodon out there. As good as Luis Gil has been in his return from Tommy John, his command is still shaky at times. And he tends to labor through his starts. Moreover, he’s usually capped at around five innings and hasn’t gone past the sixth yet. That’s why having Rodon in the mix is so important, as he could act as a force multiplier for this staff.

Nevertheless, the postseason clash between the Yankees and Red Sox would witness a full-strength rotation for the Bombers. Let’s see if the Red Sox’s dominance over the Yankees this year gets turned and continued.