When the New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a nine-year, $324 million deal, they set some pretty lofty expectations for him. Through five games, the 29-year-old has lived up to them and has been a huge part of the Yankees strong start in 2020.
In Friday’s series opening 10-3 win over the Red Sox, Cole was magnificent. He went seven innings, allowing just four hits and one run. He struck out eight and never walked a batter.
The win was Cole’s fourth of the season in five starts. It was his 20th consecutive regular season decision that was a win.
Some of his other starts were just as impressive. Although he went just 4 and 2/3 innings on August 8th against Tampa, he struck out 10. He also went 6 and 2/3 innings in a July 29th win over Baltimore, and went six innings in an August 3rd win over Philadelphia.
Cole’s strong start hasn’t just fueled the Yankees, but has energized a fan base waiting for Gerrit Cole since December. So many people wanted baseball back during the coronavirus pandemic as a distraction, and something to unite everyone. His pitching performance has given the Yankees and their fans life during this pandemic and has quickly became one of the faces of New York sports.
On the baseball side of things, Cole has filled the shoes of two star pitchers in Domingo German and Luis Severino. Without Cole, the Yankees would lack a true ace this season. Once German and Severino come back, the team will have a roster with three ace caliber pitchers, and that should put the league on notice.
The New York jitters haven’t affected Gerrit Cole as he’s been great to start the 2020 season and the newest chapter of his career.