Gerrit Cole Is Struggling With The Home Runs, Yankees Require Him To Return To Himself
Although Gerrit Cole’s performance was good enough to help the Yankees win, it wasn’t exceptional enough to inspire unfailing confidence in his ability.
Gerrit Cole, the top pitcher for the Yankees, surrendered a total of six runs (five of them earned) during the course of six and a half innings, mostly as a result of the huge amount of home runs he continued to surrender in 2022.
Gerrit Cole’s performance has changed after he began the season with seven straight starts without recording a home run.
https://twitter.com/PlayoffTanaka_/status/1663226221768114176?s=20
Gerrit Cole Is Struggling With The Home Runs, Yankees Requires Him To Return To Himself
When asked about why he’s suddenly giving up home runs again, Cole was in another world during the post-game interview. Despite having a flawless 6-0 won-loss record, the Yankees’ ace has been hit eight times in his past five outings. Cole has given up five runs over his last two outings.
Fortunately, the offense came through on Sunday, destroying Yu Darvish in a seven-run third inning to help the team win 10-7. Everyone in the Yankees clubhouse was able to breathe and get over Cole’s difficulty thanks to the outburst.
Gerrit Cole when Jose Trevino is catching
— 62.2 IP, 14 ER (2.01 ERA), 4 HR. Yankees are 8-2 in those games.
When Kyle Higashioka is catching:
— 11 IP, 10 ERA (8.18 ERA), 4 HR. pic.twitter.com/aQKJpNyQnO
— YankeesMuse (@YankeesMuse) May 28, 2023
Of course, everyone but Cole.
“I let up too many runs today,” he said glumly before adding, “there’s room for improvement.”
After the Padres hit him for a pair Sunday in the 10-7 Yankees victory in The Bronx, Cole, who went his first seven appearances this season without allowing a home run, has given up eight in his last five games.
Now Gunnar Henderson takes Gerrit Cole deep!pic.twitter.com/WWYcEdbsyK
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 24, 2023
“Both those fastballs missed on the opposite side of the plate,” said Cole, who struck out nine and largely was untouchable when he located well. “Those hitters were ready for it.”
What is happening to Cole, then? On Sunday, he made an effort to slow down his delivery, spending an additional millisecond on his rear leg to produce more ground force. The Padres struck off Cole in the seventh inning with the Yankees leading by five despite the fact that it appeared to be working throughout the bullpen sessions in between starts.
Gerrit Cole has reached 2000 career strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/FyoaE9J2Zv
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 23, 2023
Cole had already allowed those five runs, along with two more HRs and three walks. He’s missing opportunities, losing counts, and getting surprised even by solid pitches.
Boone acknowledged Gerrit Cole’s ability to settle in after the early difficulties, but Cole himself expressed frustration with the three walks he allowed
"There's some room for improvement"
– Gerrit Cole on his performance from today pic.twitter.com/hAL0CIcKqB
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 28, 2023
Captain backed his ace!
“Gerrit’s been carrying us for quite a few years and especially early on in the year,” Aaron Judge said of Cole, whose six runs allowed matched his season high. “Offense wasn’t really clicking the way we should, and he went out there every five days and was dominating.
“There’s going to be games like this throughout the season where he doesn’t have his stuff and gives up a couple runs, but that’s where the offense, we gotta pick him up.”
"It's a pretty special accomplishment. I was pretty depressed about the whole thing, for the most part, until Judgie came through and picked us up."
Gerrit Cole on getting to 2,000 career strikeouts: pic.twitter.com/nec6sGI7qt
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 24, 2023
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