Gerrit Cole, the star pitcher for the New York Yankees, had a rough outing in his second start of the 2024 season against the Mets. He was only able to last four innings, giving up six runs on seven hits, including four home runs. In addition to that, Cole walked four batters and shockingly did not record a single strikeout. This performance was a stark contrast to his successful season debut, leaving both Cole and the Yankees disappointed with the outcome.
The Silver Lining
Despite the rough start, there were a couple of positive takeaways from Cole’s performance. One encouraging sign was that he managed to throw 72 pitches, which was more than in any of his previous rehab starts or his first game of the season. Furthermore, Cole reassured everyone that he was healthy, even though there was a decrease in his fastball velocity after the first inning. His fastball, which clocked in between 97 to 99 mph initially, dropped to just 91.5 mph in the second inning, resulting in a home run by Mark Vientos. Cole, however, claimed that this intentional decrease in velocity was part of his strategy to conserve energy and pitch more efficiently.
As the game progressed, Cole struggled to put hitters away. Despite issuing only one walk in his final three innings, he failed to generate many swings and misses. The Mets were able to foul off 11 pitches and hit six balls with an exit velocity of at least 101.5 mph. Vientos, in particular, capitalized on Cole’s struggles by hitting two of those hard-hit balls for home runs. This lack of effectiveness in finishing hitters off posed a significant challenge for Cole throughout the game.
Going forward, Cole is scheduled to make his next start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Despite the setbacks in his recent outing, both Cole and his teammates remain optimistic about his abilities. Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ center fielder, expressed confidence in Cole’s resilience and emphasized the importance of learning from tough performances like the one against the Mets. Cole himself acknowledged the need to improve his execution and emphasized the competitive nature of Major League Baseball.
Gerrit Cole’s recent struggles on the mound have highlighted the challenges that even star players face in the unpredictable world of professional baseball. While his performance against the Mets may have been disappointing, it serves as a valuable learning opportunity for Cole as he prepares for future matchups. With his talent and determination, there is no doubt that Cole will continue to strive for excellence and push through any obstacles that come his way.
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