Gerrit Cole’s performance in his second start of the 2024 season for the New York Yankees was far from impressive. While his first outing showed promise, his second start against their crosstown rivals, the Mets, was a completely different story. Cole lasted only four innings, giving up six runs on seven hits, including four home runs. Furthermore, he walked four batters and surprisingly did not record a single strikeout throughout the game. This lackluster performance undoubtedly left Cole and the Yankees disappointed, as it put his team in a significant deficit early on in the game.
Health Concerns
Despite the alarming numbers on the scoreboard, there were a few silver linings to be found in Cole’s outing. He managed to throw 72 pitches, which was more than any of his previous rehab starts or his first appearance of the season. Additionally, Cole reassured everyone that he was healthy, even though his fastball velocity dropped after the first inning. His fastball, which clocked in at 97 to 99 mph in the opening frame, decreased to 91.5 mph by the second inning, resulting in a home run by Mark Vientos. Cole explained that he intentionally reduced his velocity after a taxing first inning to conserve energy and pitch count, aiming for longevity in the game.
The strategy of lowering his fastball speed, however, did not yield the desired results for Cole. Despite issuing only one walk in his final three innings, he struggled to finish off hitters, managing just five swings and misses while allowing 11 foul balls. To make matters worse, six batted balls during his outing were hit with an exit velocity of at least 101.5 mph, two of which ended in home runs by Vientos. The adjustments made by Cole did not prevent the Mets hitters from squaring up on his pitches and causing considerable damage.
Following this disappointing performance, Cole and the Yankees are looking ahead to his next start against the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the struggles he faced against the Mets, the team remains confident in their ace and are optimistic about his ability to bounce back. Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ center fielder, expressed his support for Cole, acknowledging that setbacks are a part of the game and emphasizing the need to learn from this experience. Cole himself acknowledged his poor execution and the need to make adjustments moving forward to be more effective on the mound.
Gerrit Cole’s second start in the 2024 season was a tough outing with various challenges. While his health and pitch count management were positive aspects, his inability to control the game and generate strikeouts proved to be detrimental. The Yankees will be looking for a stronger performance from their ace in the upcoming games, hoping that he can overcome these setbacks and return to form.
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