The Yankees need Gerrit Cole to be Gerrit Cole to win the World Series.
In the early innings of Saturday’s matchup against the Boston Red Sox, Cole showcased the talent that the New York Yankees rely on in their quest for a championship. He dominated Boston’s lineup, delivering an impressive performance marked by an electric fastball with superb vertical movement. Cole faced the minimum through three innings, not allowing a single hit—an outing reminiscent of a no-hitter.
Reflecting on his performances since the All-Star break, Cole has emerged as a key player for the Yankees, boasting a 1.58 ERA over his last seven starts. This is the version of Cole that fans remember from last year when he was a Cy Young award winner. Unfortunately, the Yankees missed the playoffs then, denying them the chance to utilize one of the league’s premier pitchers in October.
The current Yankees roster is one of the most balanced teams in recent memory, with strengths aligning as the postseason approaches. However, signs indicate that Cole still has room for improvement.
A notable moment occurred when Cole raised four fingers on the mound, signaling an intentional walk to Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers with no one on base. This unusual move surprised many, as it is typically managers who initiate such calls. Cole’s decision diverged from his competitive persona, as he has historically embraced challenges, including facing hitters like Devers, who has eight career home runs against him.
Fortunately for Cole, the Yankees will not face Devers or the Red Sox again this season, as Boston’s playoff hopes have dimmed following the Yankees’ recent series victory. However, the postseason presents a new challenge, with elite hitters awaiting the Yankees.
If facing Devers was tough, Cole will soon contend with sluggers like Yordan Álvarez, who has hit two home runs in just ten at-bats against him, and José Ramírez, who boasts a 1.283 OPS in 23 at-bats. Carlos Correa and Gunnar Henderson also present formidable challenges with impressive OPS numbers against Cole. Should the Yankees advance to the World Series, they may encounter even more powerful hitters from the Dodgers or Phillies.
Cole missed an opportunity to hone his skills against Devers, which could have served as valuable preparation for the upcoming playoff competition.
Another area Cole must address in the final weeks leading to the playoffs is his ability to pitch deeper into games.
“I’m still trying to get into the seventh,” Cole told FOX Sports. “We don’t want to be doing something in the postseason that we haven’t practiced.”
Cole has not pitched into the seventh inning since returning from the injured list in June, which is unusual for a pitcher of his caliber, who previously excelled with complete-game shutouts and numerous seven-inning starts last season.
He aims to increase his pitch count in upcoming outings to prepare for the demands of playoff games, where he may need to throw 110-115 pitches. This is especially important given the Yankees’ bullpen struggles, ranking 16th in the league during the second half of the season. The pitching staff has faced unpredictability, highlighted by changes in roles and performance issues among various pitchers.
Amid these uncertainties, Cole is expected to be the reliable ace the Yankees count on for success.
“It’s always great to have a Cy Young ace,” Soto told FOX Sports. “I don’t want to say it’s easier, but it will make it very hard for the other team to beat us with Cole.”
This is not the moment for Cole to falter against formidable opponents. He must reclaim his identity as the fierce competitor he is known to be. There is no other pitcher quite like Cole when he is at his best. He needs to move past his recent struggles against the Red Sox, focus on his next start, and reconnect with the qualities that have made him one of the sport’s elite pitchers.
If the Yankees lift the World Series trophy in six weeks, Cole’s moment of hesitation against Devers may fade from memory. However, if they fall short, it will be a moment that lingers in the minds of fans and analysts alike.
