The New York Yankees should be sure to avoid this big mistake with Gerrit Cole.
The New York Yankees are now in the Division Series after sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card round, and their opponent is the ballclub with the best record in the American League: the Tampa Bay Rays.
It's hard to believe that the Rays may very well represent the Yankees' biggest obstacle to another World Series appearance, but here we are.
Tampa Bay will be sending noted Yankee killer Drew Rasmussen to the mound for Game 1 on Saturday, whereas New York is currently undecided.
The debate is between Gerrit Cole or Carlos Rodon for the opener, and Aaron Boone seems to be waffling.
I get the indecisiveness. Rodon has been great this season, especially down the stretch. Meanwhile, Cole hasn't quite looked like himself over the last month or so (although he was considerably better over his final two starts).
But let's be real here: the answer should be Cole.
Cole is a former Cy Young award winner with a terrific pedigree, and for as dominant as Rodon can look at times, he owns a lifetime 7.53 ERA in the postseason. Last year, Rodon surrendered nine runs on 10 hits across 8.1 innings of work in the playoffs.
So should the Yankees actually trust Rodon in Game 1 of a series that includes Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda?
Cole's last appearance in a playoff game came in the 2024 World Series, when he was pitching a gem until a disastrous fifth inning consisting of unfathomable Yankees mistakes ruined it. Of course, Cole was a big culprit, failing to break for first base on a ground ball that would have ended the inning.
You don't think Cole remembers that?
For as motivated as Cam Schlittler was against the Red Sox, I'm not sure this is a single pitcher on New York's staff — on any staff — more determined to right their wrongs than Cole. That should absolutely matter, especially given Cole's lifetime 2.77 ERA in October.
And not to bring up disrespect as if that should matter, but it would be quite a slight for Boone to essentially skip over Cole in the rotation.
It's long been understood that Rodon is the No. 4 on this staff. Schlittler, Cole and Max Fried are the clear top three. Rodon is a fantastic 4, and he will be available as an incredible weapon out of the bullpen.
If Boone opts for Rodon over Cole in Game 1 versus the Rays, it would essentially relegate Cole to a relief role, which seems unthinkable.
Cole absolutely should be the Game 1 starter on Saturday, and it would truly be unfortunate if Boone decided otherwise.
