Gerrit Cole’s K-rate hits postseason rock bottom as Yankees ace falters in ALCS outing

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Gerrit Cole encountered an uncharacteristic challenge in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians. His performance was notably affected by an unusually low strike rate, reported to be his lowest ever in a postseason start at just 59.6%.

The fourth inning proved particularly problematic for Cole, as he issued three walks and conceded two runs, eroding the Yankees’ initial 3-0 lead. His outing was cut short after only 4.1 innings, during which he managed to strike out four batters but struggled with control issues. This prompted Yankees manager Aaron Boone to bring in Clay Holmes for relief. Despite a strong start, Cole’s difficulties in the bases-loaded situation in the fourth inning overshadowed what could have been an outstanding performance.

Cole’s uneven postseason echoes a regular season marred by injury and inconsistency. In the ALDS, his outings were similarly erratic: a rocky start against the Royals where he gave up four runs over five innings, followed by a dominant seven-inning, one-run performance to clinch the series.

Gerrit Cole faced a key moment in the fourth inning of Game 2 of the ALCS, escaping a jam by getting pinch hitter David Fry to pop up and striking out Brayan Rocchio with a sharp backdoor slider. However, the fifth inning proved more difficult for the Yankees’ ace, as four of the first five Cleveland Guardians batters reached base, leading to his early departure from the game.

Reflecting on his outing, Cole admitted his control was off, citing the high number of walks he allowed. He credited the Guardians for their disciplined approach at the plate, noting that their steady pressure made it hard for him to establish any rhythm and maintain the Yankees’ early momentum.

“I lost a little bit of the zone, a few too many walks again,” he admitted. “But I think they threw a lot of quality at-bats together, and they strung them together, and they obviously — they won some of those long at-bats, and they ended up putting enough pressure on us that it didn’t allow us to continue to cruise and keep going deep. Just got to do better. Got to do better.”

This most recent appearance was more reminiscent of his shaky start, as he managed just one perfect inning. However, Cole showed some resilience in the fourth, escaping a bases-loaded jam with only one out.

Cole’s 2024 opposite of his 2023 season

Gerrit Cole’s postseason for the Yankees has been marked by inconsistency, a trend that continued in Game 2 of the ALCS, despite the team’s 6-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians. The victory at Yankee Stadium gave the team a commanding 2-0 series lead, but Cole’s outing fell short of his usual standard.

Cole lasted just 4 ⅓ innings, struggling with control throughout. He issued four walks, struck out four, and allowed six hits. Despite throwing 89 pitches, Cole frequently found himself behind in the count and unable to efficiently finish off batters.

After the game, Cole acknowledged his lackluster performance and stressed the need to be better moving forward, offering no excuses for his struggles.

The Yankees’ bullpen once again stepped up to preserve the lead, making up for Cole’s early exit. Strong relief pitching has been a recurring theme throughout the postseason, helping to steady the Yankees when their ace falters.

As the series heads to Cleveland, the Yankees are hopeful that Cole can regain his dominant form, while relying on their bullpen to continue anchoring their playoff run.

This performance was a stark contrast to Cole’s dominant run in the 2022 postseason, where he posted a 2.95 ERA over three starts, spanning 18 ⅓ innings. His early exit in this game was his second-shortest playoff start in 20 career postseason appearances, with only his two-inning outing in the 2021 wild-card game against the Red Sox being shorter.

Despite Cole’s struggles, the Yankees’ bullpen stepped up in a big way. Clay Holmes entered in the fifth inning and struck out Austin Hedges with the bases loaded, preventing further damage and preserving the Yankees’ lead. Tim Hill followed with 1 ⅔ scoreless innings, while Tommy Kahnle added 1 ⅓ shutout frames, and Luke Weaver closed out the ninth to secure the 6-3 win.

Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the need to manage the bullpen carefully after Cole’s exit, but praised his starter for giving the team a chance to win. The collective effort from the Yankees’ pitching staff highlighted the team’s depth and resilience, showcasing their ability to adjust and thrive even when their ace isn’t at his best.

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