Gerrit Cole stood in front of the microphones in a stage he knows very well: October.
X · Abrir publicación original ↗
The Yankees' right met this Friday with the media at Tropicana Field during the training day before the start of the American League Divisional Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
One day before receiving the ball in Game 1, Cole spoke as part of the Yankees official press conference alongside manager Aaron Boone and catcher Austin Wells.
The attention around the veteran is special. After missing the entire 2025 season for Tommy John surgery, Cole completed his comeback during 2026 and now once again occupy one of the places of greatest responsibility within the New York rotation.
Gerrit Cole will have the ball to start ALDS
The Yankees confirmed that Cole will be the starter of the first game of the divisional series against Tampa Bay.
The right-hander was ready to throw a eventual 3 against Boston in the Wild Card round, but New York eliminated the Red Sox in only two games and avoided using it.
The sweep ended up becoming a major strategic advantage.
Cole arrives completely rested and Aaron Boone can start the new round with one of the most postseason pitchers inside the roster.
A return to October after a long road
This opening will have a different meaning for Cole.
His last playoff appearance occurred in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. Then Tommy John surgery came and a full season watching from outside as he advanced into extensive rehabilitation.
The return officially began on May 22 this season and Cole ended up making 22 starts.
He closed the regular campaign with a 10-9 record, a 3.61 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 127 innings.
Now he returns to the postseason with the opportunity to start a series in which the Yankees need to win three games to advance to the American League Championship Series.
Cole's experience is once again important for the Yankees
Game 1 will represent the 23rd postseason presentation in Cole's career, all as a starter.
Since he arrived in New York, the right-hander has accumulated a 2.93 ERA in 12 starts of the playoffs with the Yankees.
That history helps explain why the team decided to place the beginning of the series in their hands.
The regular season can offer many opportunities to recover from a bad night. A best-of-five divisional series works differently.
Taking advantage from the first game can immediately change the way both teams manage their rotation and their bullpen.
Cole knows the Rays well
Tampa Bay also does not represent an unknown rival for the right.
Cole made three starts against the Rays during the 2026 regular season and finished with a 1-1 record and a 2.50 ERA against them.
In each of those presentations he allowed three races or less.
Throughout his career he has faced Tampa Bay more times than any other team, so there is a lot of familiarity between the pitcher and several of the batters he will have in front of him.
There is also history in October. Cole has already faced the Rays four times in the postseason, including two starts during the 2020 divisional series.
Drew Rasmussen will be Cole's rival
The duel of the first match will face two experienced rights.
Tampa Bay will deliver the ball to Drew Rasmussen, who finished the regular season with a 16-5 record and a 2.67 ERA.
Rasmussen racked up 174 strikeouts and ended up among the most effective starters in the Major Leagues during 2026.
That places even more importance on the first entries.
The Yankees come from producing 18 runs in only two games against Boston, but now they will face a pitcher who for much of the season showed ability to limit traffic and control matches early on.
The Yankees will need patience against Rasmussen
The New York Offensive showed during the Wild Card that it can win in different ways.
There were home runs, but also hits with runners in scoring position, speed, stolen bases and constant pressure on the defense.
That approach can be especially important against Rasmussen.
The Yankees do not need to try to solve the match with a single swing. Forcing the Tampa starter to work deep counts and increasing their number of pitches can open up opportunities against the bullpen during the second half of the match.
Cole will lead a deep rotation
Cole's presence in Game 1 is only part of one of the main strengths of these Yankees.
Cam Schlittler is scheduled to open the second game after finishing the regular season with a 1.95 ERA and overpowering Boston during the Wild Card.
Max Fried and Carlos Rodón also remain available for the next stages of the series.
That depth allows Boone to handle ALDS in a different way.
If a starter has problems, there are arms used to working multiple inputs. If the series extends, New York has enough options to avoid relying on a single launcher.
The sweep against Boston allowed Cole to prepare for this moment
Eliminating Boston in two games ended up having consequences that go beyond the rivalry.
The Yankees did not have to use Cole in a decisive Wild Card game and they didn't have to demand too much of the bullpen either.
That allowed the right-hander to arrive in Tampa with full rest and that Boone organize his rotation thinking exclusively of the divisional series.
In October, that kind of advantage can be decisive.
Everything starts on Saturday at Tropicana Field
Game 1 between Yankees and Rays is scheduled for Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time at Tropicana Field.
New York arrives after sweeping Boston, while Tampa Bay had a break after finishing with the best record in the American League.
The scenario changes, the rival changes and the margin of error is reduced again.
For Gerrit Cole, a new opportunity also begins.
After missing a full year, going through surgery and completing the way back to the mound, the veteran is exactly where he wanted to be.
with the ball in his hands.
In October.
and opening a playoff series for the New York Yankees.