Getty Image / Christian Petersen
Gerrit Cole’s time as a Yankee has been up and down. At times he has looked like the best pitcher on the planet. After all, that’s what the Yankees paid for when they signed him to a $324,000,000 contract before the 2020 season. He was the Cy Young runner-up last year. But, he imploded in the wild card game against the rival Red Sox and didn’t get out of the third inning in an eventual loss that ended the New York season. the Righty pitched to an above-average 3.50 ERA this season, but he was paid to come in and pitch well in the biggest games.
Cole had the chance to do exactly that Sunday night as the Yankees faced elimination
Gerrit Cole pitched a gem and kept the Yankees season alive
Facing elimination, He was magnificent. He spun a gem, going 7 innings, allowing 6 hits and striking out 8, with 2 earned runs against him.
Even though things did get shaky a few times, especially after this home run by Josh Naylor, Cole kept his composure.
Josh Naylor rocked the baby his whole home run trot 😂
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/BSnVLn2el9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 17, 2022
Cole had some attitude for Naylor after the game, too.
Gerrit Cole on Josh Naylor’s trip around the bases:
“Yeah. Whatever. It’s cute.” pic.twitter.com/InZMNELLxQ
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) October 17, 2022
Yankees fans are thrilled with his effort
All in all, Yankees fans are loving Cole right now.
Gerrit Cole has proved himself as the ace of the New York Yankees
2 ALDS starts: 13.1 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 15 SO, 2.03 ERA
— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) October 17, 2022
That’s a great start from Gerrit Cole. Earn your money, earn your pinstripes start. He’s earned a tremendous amount of good will
— Tommy Smokes (@TomScibelli) October 17, 2022
However this game ends, and however this series ends… I don’t wanna hear any more Gerrit Cole slander. Dude earned his pinstripes this series. #RepBx
— Zach Berman (@BermanZB) October 17, 2022
I know plenty of Yankee fans, though, and they have very short memories. The next bad start and he will be booed again.
Game 5 between the Guardians and Yankees is Monday night at Yankee Stadium.