Gerrit Cole He finished his regular season schedule leaving a positive performance just as the New York Yankees start thinking exclusively in October.
The right-hander worked five and two-thirds in the 9-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, allowing only three hits and two clean runs. Cole gave three walks, struck out eight batters and made 105 pitches before handing the game to the bullpen.
Beyond the result, the presentation had special importance for some Yankees who still have to define the order of their rotation for the Wild Card series. Cole knows that he will have an opening in that first round, but it remains to be determined in which game he will receive the ball.
Gerrit Cole responded in his last test before October
The Yankees offense gave him a wide lead from the first innings, but Cole did not just manage the score. The veteran kept Tampa Bay under control and showed ability to get strikeouts when he needed to escape uncomfortable situations.
The Rays got their two runs in front of him. Jonny DeLuca produced one with a double and Cedric Mullins added another through a lone home run, but Tampa Bay failed to turn those connections into a rally that could change the course of the match.
Cole came out after 5.2 episodes with eight strikeouts and only three allowed hits. It was an important presentation to close a season in which he had to recover rhythm after returning from Tommy John surgery.
With the win, the right-hander improved his record to 10-9 and finished the regular season with a 3.61 ERA.
A better version of Cole at the right time
The final stretch had generated some questions around the Yankees opener. Before his two most recent performances, Cole had allowed seven home runs in a two-opening period, a trend that drew attention to the proximity of the postseason.
His response began in Arizona, where he pitched six innings of two runs against the Diamondbacks, and continued against Tampa Bay with another start in which he managed to limit the damage.
For New York, recovering stability in rotation is especially important in a short series. A wild card to the best of three leaves little room to correct mistakes, so each opening can end up defining the season.
The Yankees must still order their Wild Card rotation
Aaron Boone has already pointed out that Cole will make an opening during the Wild Card series. What the Yankees have not yet made public is the definitive order of their starters.
The calendar puts Cole in an interesting position. Having launched on Wednesday, he would have enough rest to return to the mound at the beginning of the series, which is scheduled to start on September 29 at Yankee Stadium.
Cam Schlittler It is also part of the conversation after an outstanding season, while Max Fried and Carlos Rodon They represent other alternatives with experience for a rotation that offers various possibilities.
The Yankees do not need to make the decision immediately. The last regular season games will allow them to handle workloads and assess which combination they consider most convenient to face a series in which a defeat can quickly change the entire landscape.
Cole arrives in October with a positive sign
Cole's last start was not perfect, but he met one of the most important goals before the postseason: finishing the regular season showing control of the game and ability to withdraw hitters via strikeout.
It also had considerable offensive support. The Yankees scored nine runs against Tampa Bay, led by two home runs Ben Rice and a grand slam of Ryan McMahon, so Cole was able to throw with an advantage practically from the beginning.
Now the scenario changes. The next time Cole takes the ball, he could do it with the Yankees season in play.
New York has several options to build its rotation, but the right-wing performance against the Rays left one last positive impression before the playoffs start.