Yankees Face Twins in Grapefruit League Action: Gil vs. Raya Showdown

The Grapefruit League action continues as the New York Yankees transition from their first night game to a day matchup against the Minnesota Twins. As both teams gear up for the regular season, the spotlight will be on the starting pitchers, Luis Gil for the Yankees and Marco Raya for the Twins.

Luis Gil is set to make his second start of the spring after a solid performance against the Mets, where he allowed one run and struck out four over 2.2 innings. Despite concerns about his fastball velocity, which has been a topic of discussion since he returned from a lat injury last season, Gil remains unperturbed. “It’s early in spring training; I’m not worried about it,” he stated confidently. Last season, Gil had a commendable 4-1 record alongside a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 41 batters across 57 innings.

On the other side, Marco Raya, the Twins’ 18th-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, takes the mound. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, Raya showcases a powerful arsenal, featuring a mid-90s four-seamer and sinker, both capable of reaching 97 mph, along with an array of secondary pitches including a slider, sweeper, curveball, and changeup. Last season, he made 30 appearances, including 20 starts in Triple-A, posting a 2-8 record with a 6.02 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 98.2 innings.

While Aaron Judge is not making the trip to Fort Myers, the Yankees lineup still boasts considerable firepower. Ben Rice will lead off, followed by Jasson Domínguez and Paul DeJong, who are both gaining valuable experience in left field and at shortstop, respectively. Notably, top prospects Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. are batting sixth and seventh, with Jones already showcasing his power with a couple of home runs this spring, and Lombard contributing a two-run double in his last outing.

In contrast, the Twins lineup appears closer to what fans might expect on Opening Day. Byron Buxton, who has reaffirmed his commitment to the team amidst trade rumors, leads off. Luke Keaschall, the promising second baseman who emerged as a rookie last year, looks to solidify his role in the team’s rebuilding efforts. Additionally, fans will see a familiar face as Gio Urshela, now a non-roster invitee, joins the Twins camp.

How to watch:

Location: Lee Health Sports Complex — Fort Myers, FL

First pitch: 1:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: Gotham Sports App, Twins.TV, FOX9+KMSP, Gray Media

Radio broadcast: WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM (Twins broadcast)

Online stream: Gotham Sports App

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Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.