Though Gerrit Cole didn’t lobby to start Game 4 with the Yankees on the brink of elimination, his presence on the bench provided a boost as the team rallied to keep their season alive. Now, with full rest, Cole takes on the responsibility of an ace in Game 5.
The Yankees’ strategy has been clear: survive Game 4 against the Dodgers’ bullpen day, then turn to Cole in hopes of forcing the series back to Los Angeles. The 11-4 victory, driven by unexpected contributions from the lower half of the lineup and steady relief pitching, staved off elimination and allowed the Yankees to place their hopes in their ace.
Nestor Cortes shared his confidence in Cole, praising him as the best pitcher in the game and highlighting the lift he brings to the team. “We won a game, and having, you know, the best pitcher in baseball coming up for us [Wednesday] gives us, obviously, a sense of hope to take this back to LA,” he said.
For Cole, Game 5 represents more than just a must-win—it’s an opportunity to impact his legacy and potentially add his name to the sport’s history books.
In historical terms, the stakes are considerable. Among the 24 teams that have trailed 3-0 in the World Series, none have managed to push the series to a Game 6. The Yankees are now just the fourth to avoid a sweep.
Reliever Luke Weaver spoke to Cole’s readiness for the crucial start, pointing to his AL Cy Young credentials and solid performance in Game 1. With his versatile pitch arsenal, Weaver emphasized, Cole gives the team confidence in his ability to keep their season alive.
“You got your guy on the mound, you got the reigning [AL] Cy Young award winner,” the Yankees closer claimed. “You got the guy who was great in Game 1. Got everything he needs in the arsenal. Let him go and see what happens.”
Yankees pin survival hopes on Cole
All eyes now turn to Cole and the chance to rewrite baseball history, as the Yankees’ fight for survival could turn into a comeback story for the ages.
Game 5 perfectly encapsulates why the Yankees made Gerrit Cole the highest-paid pitcher in baseball. His record-setting contract was crafted for nights like this, aimed at propelling the franchise to a championship while providing Cole a chance to cement his legacy. In his fifth season with New York, Cole now stands at a crossroads that could redefine both the Yankees’ playoff run and his personal pursuit of a title.
Jose Trevino described the team’s strategy after falling 0-3 in the series: rely on Cole to extend the fight, then turn to Carlos Rodon in hopes of pushing the Dodgers to a decisive stage. However, with a return to Los Angeles still uncertain, the onus falls squarely on Cole.
“That’s one of the biggest things that we talked about [after falling behind 0-3],” the catcher said. “Get the ball in Cole’s hands and then, after that, get the ball in Rodon’s hands and then, after that, we’ll see what happens.”
Rested and ready, Cole has a chance to channel his full energy into what could be his season’s final appearance, with a chance to force the Dodgers into facing the weight of a three-game lead at risk. Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted to hold Cole out of Game 4 to safeguard his health, especially given an elbow injury earlier in the year, banking on Cole’s ability to deliver in Game 5.
To continue the Yankees’ comeback bid, Cole will need to replicate his Game 1 outing, where he threw 88 pitches across six solid innings, allowing just one run. This stability is essential, as the Yankees’ bullpen has been heavily used in recent days, covering 11⅓ innings in Games 3 and 4. Cole’s performance will be the ultimate test of New York’s investment in him, as he looks to extend their World Series hopes.
The Yankees’ lower third of the lineup transformed recent struggles into a powerful rallying force in Game 4, as Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Alex Verdugo drove in the team’s first seven runs in an 11-4 win. Volpe, who once cheered the Yankees at the 2009 championship parade as an eight-year-old fan, delivered a stirring third-inning grand slam, evoking memories of his idol, Derek Jeter. The blast brought the crowd of 49,354 to life, capping a performance that also included stellar defense, two stolen bases, and a hand in the team’s pivotal five-run eighth inning.
Late in the game, the Yankees’ core lineup also sparked to life after a quiet start to the Series. Gleyber Torres broke the silence with a three-run homer, Juan Soto doubled, and Aaron Judge recorded his first RBI, snapping an 0-for-11 slump that had weighed on the team.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, opted to save key relievers, Anthony Banda, Alex Vesia, Michael Kopech, and Blake Treinen for Game 5, fielding a secondary bullpen to conserve arms for starter Jack Flaherty. While this move bolsters the Dodgers’ options for the next matchup, it may have unwittingly jumpstarted the Yankees’ offense, building confidence as they head into the pivotal game in the Bronx.
Reflecting on the victory, reliever Clay Holmes noted that the team anticipated a morale boost from a single win, especially with Cole set for Game 5, hinting at a chance to gain momentum.
“We knew in the back of our heads as bad as one loss and two and three felt,” he said. “We knew what one win could feel like and we have Gerrit tomorrow and then maybe momentum could build.”
As the Yankees aim to overcome an unprecedented deficit, Cole now stands as both their ace and a figure on the brink of history, ready to take the mound with the season—and legacy—at stake.
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