"This is why they gave Gerrit Cole the big money" - MLB insider lauds Yankees ace after Game 4 ALDS victory
Gerrit Cole took the ball on Friday for the New York Yankees and turned in a brilliant start. The team won and Cole was credited with the win, giving them an ALCS berth this season. Cole has long been a premier playoff performer, and one MLB analyst believes that is exactly what the Yankees pay him for.
In 2020, Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees. Harold Reynolds believes it's games like last night that justify the contract he was given.
The MLB Network crew detailed plenty of big games that Cole appeared in and did well during the playoffs, citing that he's never lost a game in the ALDS.
"I think you're dead on," Reynolds said. "As I watched those Houston years and all that, he was like the second guy, or third, even. This is his team. This is why he signed with the Yankees. This is why they gave him the big money. Cause Gerrit Cole gets the ball in elimination games."
While this wasn't an elimination game, the Yankees closed it out in four. It gives them extra rest compared to either the Cleveland Guardians or Detroit Tigers, who play Saturday, and it prevents them from using the same pitching matchup that resulted in a Game 2 loss at home: Cole Ragans vs. Carlos Rodon.
Gerrit Cole discusses ALDS win
Gerrit Cole nearly served up a tying home run to Kyle Isbel in what would be his final out. Juan Soto caught the ball, which would've been a home run to tie it in 24 other ballparks, with a hand on the wall.
Nevertheless, Cole escaped and won the game. He said after via ESPN:
"There's so much baseball left. I mean, we're obviously confident, right? We're focused. We're trying to improve the brand of baseball that we're playing as we continue to get deeper into October. Even when you're banged up, you feel the same way. That's your job. You've got to just get after the ball regardless of what you have."
Cole will likely be handed the ball in Game 2 during the ALCS on four days rest. Carlos Rodon, who would've pitched Saturday, will presumably be the Game 1 starter, but the Yankees have options with Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, and possibly Nestor Cortes if he can return from injury.