Yankees' Luis Gil might've pitched himself out of All-Star Game in just two starts

After fighting traffic on the bases, but ultimately dismissing the Red Sox in impressive fashion, Yankees de facto ace Luis Gil was riding high, cementing his case (once again) to start the All-Star Game for the American League by vanquishing New York's chief rival.

Two starts later, and the question isn't, "Should Gil start the All-Star Game?" but rather, "Should Gil start at all?"

The meltdown began with a second-inning ambush by the fire-breathing Orioles offense; Gil allowed just one run in the first frame last Thursday, thanks in large part to Juan Soto misjudging a fly ball, but couldn't record more than one out in the second before seven earned runs had scored.

Wednesday's Subway Series-ender was similar, if a little more run-of-the-mill; Gil worked through a bases-loaded jam in the first, then allowed a trio of runs in the third, two coming on a two-out fastball ambush by Francisco Alvarez. A few of his inherited runners were allowed to score, post-rain delay, and just like that, his bright red blaring ERA begins with a "3," two starts after it sat snugly in the ones.

Gil might still make a crowded AL All-Star field based on reputation accrued in April, May and early June, but even if he does receive the honor, the Yankees will likely instruct his manager not to use him. Instead of receiving a midsummer pedestal, Gil will be shunted to the side or left off entirely.

Yankees starter Luis Gil hits wall, might miss All-Star Game roster opportunity

Gil hitting a wall was inevitable, at some point, given he reached almost 26 innings in 2022 before succumbing to injury and just four innings in a pair of shortened rehab appearances coming off Tommy John surgery last year. An artificial innings limit while he was peaking would've felt like a poor decision. Unfortunately, Gil's arm -- which he insists isn't tired, in what barely qualifies as a half-truth -- has set Matt Blake's limitations for him lately, and Gerrit Cole is clearly not ready to pick up any sort of the resulting slack.

Gil insists he feels strong, even after Wednesday night's rerun performance, and that's all well and good. Whether he knows what's gone wrong or not, though, it's clear that something is affecting his effective wildness. In his past two starts, he's been unable to live around the zone, alternating between undesirable pitches and extremely hittable ones.

He'll likely still be given a midsummer honor, but if a jury of his peers does send him to Texas, he'll almost definitely have to sit out the show.