Gerrit Cole tips his cap to a standing ovation from the Yankees crowd after pitching 8 innings. via X NYY

Gerrit Cole, the reigning AL CY Young pitcher and New York Yankees ace starter, is an absolute fan favorite in the Bronx. Since joining the team in 2019, he has been the most effective and durable pitcher in the league. Despite the team finishing outside playoffs in 2023, Cole bagged a CY Young.

This year, while the start of the season was unexpected due to an elbow injury, Gerrit Cole bounced back to stage an inspiring comeback. Now, the ace is set to feature in the postseason, starting from the ALDS. As the Yankees scheduled him for Game 1, Cole opened up on his true feelings about pitching at the Yankee Stadium.

Gerrit Cole Awaits Buzzing Yankees Stadium Atmosphere For ALDS

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The New York Yankees are heading into the postseason with high hopes of making their first World Series appearance since 2009. With the best record in the American League and a powerful regular-season performance, including leading the MLB in home runs, they’ve positioned themselves as strong contenders. Having said that, one of the key components of their success will be their pitching, especially ace Gerrit Cole, who will be pivotal in their playoff campaign. Gerrit Cole has had an up-and-down year due to injury, but he remains the centerpiece of the Yanks’ pitching staff. He notably finished the season with an 8-5 record in 17 starts, striking out 99 batters over 95 innings and posting a solid 3.41 ERA.

Meanwhile, despite postseason challenges and pressure, Gerrit Cole is fully aware of the importance of his role in the postseason and is ready to step up when it matters most. One of the unique factors that Cole credits for his love of pitching in the postseason is the environment at Yankee Stadium. The venue, steeped in history, is known for its passionate fan base, and Cole thrives on the energy. During the pre-game interview, the ace described the atmosphere at the stadium as something special, noting how the sound and pageantry amplify his performance. “I feel like the passion comes through in the noise and the pageantry of the stadium. It’s open air, it’s cold, and the sound fills you from the feet up,” he said. With October baseball, the crowd’s intensity and the pressure of the postseason could elevate his game even further.

Aaron Judge Excited To See Gerrit Cole Pitch In Playoffs

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The New York Yankees will kick off the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Kansas City Royals starting on Saturday. For Game 1, ace Gerrit Cole will be on the mound, and for captain Aaron Judge, the decision was a no-brainer. “Nobody else I want out on the mound for game one than Gerrit,” Judge said in a pre-game interview.

Meanwhile, for Gerrit Cole, he is happy to be able to stay healthy and remain available for the playoffs. In a season where he missed two months due to an elbow injury and pitched with restrictions, coming this far was never easy. “I’m thankful that I was able to come through the injury all right and be in a good position,” Cole said.