Yesterday, Gerrit Cole failed to pitch up to expectations against the Blue Jays. In six innings of work, the top of the roster gave him a hard time.
In total, we are talking about nine hits and five earned runs against the pitcher. He didn’t inherit the loss since the Blue Jays relievers made it… interesting.
The problem for Cole? This was not an ‘isolated incident for the one who averaged 5.13 during the month.
In September, he had three poor starts in six starts. He wasn’t good against Cleveland in an important game (the Yankees were losing a lot at that point) and he was lacking in what he was doing when he left due to injury.
Of the 37 hits awarded (including against clubs like the Angels and Orioles in passing) over the month, 17 are for more than one goal.
No other pitcher has done worse in this regard in the Majors.
Could his outing yesterday have cost him the Cy Young? Possibly. Especially if Robbie Ray throws well tonight.
In fact, if you factor in Max Scherzer’s ugly outing last night, two major league stars might have slipped away from Cy Young that same night in favor of two petty market pitchers.
What explains this? Is the pressure too much for him? Is he more hurt than you think? What is wrong?
I do not know. Neither do the Yankees, which is worrying considering they don’t have the year-round rotation behind it.
Cole’s next departure will be in October. Whether it’s Sunday (he says he is ready to do it if necessary), Monday (if match # 163 there is) or Tuesday in Tuesday’s suicide match, he will have to put September behind him and start over.
Wish the Yankees he wakes up in October, either at the same time as Billie Joe Armstrong. After all, he’s not a bad pitcher – quite the opposite – in major league baseball: he’s just a guy who needs to regain his confidence and carry the club on his shoulders.
