After the Yankees lost two games in a row to Orioles solely for their pitching failure, Gerrit Cole returns with his ace power to stem the slide and secure the AL East crown on Thursday.
Gerrit Cole’s season with the Yankees hit a rough patch after an elbow inflammation sidelined him until mid-June, and his performances upon returning fell short of his Cy Young-winning form from the previous year. However, as the postseason nears, the ace has regained his dominant touch, especially in his last two outings.
In the Yankees’ AL East-clinching 10-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles, Gerrit Cole was outstanding, throwing 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Yankee Stadium. This followed a complete-game gem in Oakland, where he surrendered just two hits and a walk.
Reflecting on the season, Gerrit Cole admitted it had been a challenging one with its share of highs and lows, but his focus remained on helping the team succeed. He described the opportunity to pitch in a game with the division title on the line as an incredible experience, calling it “the best feeling” given the high stakes involved.
“There were some ups and downs this year and I tried to plug along and give us a chance to win,’’ the Yankees pitcher told after the win. “Tonight was fun. You have a chance to win a division and it’s special to be out there. It’s the best feeling. The stakes are high.”
Gerrit Cole chokes Orioles
In the pivotal game, Gerrit Cole held the Orioles hitless until the fifth inning when Ramón Urias singled. By the time he exited in the seventh, he had allowed just two hits and one walk, handily outpitching Baltimore ace Corbin Burnes.
Gerrit Cole’s late-season resurgence has been a crucial boost for the Yankees, especially after a period of inconsistency earlier in the season. His return to form could not have come at a better time, bolstering the team’s confidence as they prepare for the postseason run.
Before the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone described Gerrit Cole’s season as uncharacteristic, citing the pitcher’s usual durability throughout his career. Boone acknowledged that Cole faced early-season challenges, including an injury that disrupted his routine during the first few months of play.
Gerrit Cole’s improvement became evident after skipping a start in late July due to general fatigue. Though he struggled in a September 14 outing against the Red Sox, allowing seven runs, his recent performances have ranged from solid to dominant.
As Gerrit Cole walked off the mound to a standing ovation from the Bronx crowd, there was a strong sense of anticipation for his postseason contributions. Reflecting on clinching the division, the ace stressed the importance of capitalizing on opportunities when they arise, underscoring his playoff mindset.
“That’s what you want as a player: the division is there for the taking,’’ he explained. “You’ve got to go out there and get it.”
Even with a comfortable lead, Gerrit Cole chose to pitch into the seventh inning, showcasing his focus on playoff preparation. He mentioned his intention to throw around 110 pitches in an upcoming start, likely signaling his readiness for the postseason.
“I’ve got to get prepared,’’ the ace said. “I expect to throw 110 [pitches] in about a week.”
Boone praised Gerrit Cole’s performance under pressure, especially after the Yankees dropped two straight games, and lauded his ability to rise to the occasion. The manager highlighted the pitcher’s role as a key player in crucial moments since joining the Yankees.
“Losing two tough games and wanting to get this thing done, there was some pressure going into today,’’ the Yankees manager said. “His Yankee career has been outstanding and he’s had several moments of truth and answered the bell.”
Speculation arose that Gerrit Cole’s reduced workload this season might benefit him in the playoffs, but the ace dismissed that idea, stating he would have preferred to log over 200 innings by this point.
Gerrit Cole’s strong finish to the season, combined with his comments, reflect his competitive edge and readiness to tackle the challenges ahead in the postseason, despite the unusual course of his year.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
