Best – Gerrit Cole New York Yankees – 7IP 4H 1ER 0BB 8K 1W
The New York Yankees came into the series opener against their biggest rival, the Boston Red Sox, as the walking wounded. Both of the Yankees’ biggest bats, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, were sitting out due to injuries. Good thing Gerrit Cole did not get the biggest contract ever for a pitcher for no reason.
Cole was brought in to be the ace of the Yankee staff. And on Friday, he showed the Red Sox what an ace looks like. Cole had pitched well this season, but he had not had that dominant Cole outing that baseball fans were used to seeing.
Cole was worth every penny the Yankees spent on him in the offseason. Cole’s 2020 stats (4-0 2.76ERA .85WHIP 34K 5BB) are a continuation of the tear he started last year and now has 20 straight regular-season wins.
Everything clicked for Cole on Friday, and the Yankees needed it with their offense still not hitting to their full potential. The Yankees sit atop the AL East, and Tampa Bay Rays are nipping at their heels. But with Cole back in Cy Young form, I think the Yankees are going to be okay.
Other Notables: Teoscar Hernandez OF Blue Jays – 3-5 2R 4RBI 2HR; Sonny Gray SP Reds – 6.2IP 5H 1ER 1BB 10K 1W; Gleybar Torres 2B Yankees – 4-4 2R 2RBI; Clayton Kershaw SP Dodgers – 7IP 1H 1ER 2BB 6K 1W; Cody Bellinger OF Dodgers – 2-4 2R 4RBI 2HR)
Worst – Javier Baez SS Chicago Cubs – 0-5 4K
Javy Baez got the golden sombrero in Friday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs fell 3-4 and were oh so close to taking the opener against their division rival. Instead, they lost after Baez went 0-4.
Baez has been struggling for the past two weeks, going 8-39, and after this performance, it may be time to get a day off and get his mind right. He is one of the most exciting baseball players in the league. The Cubs still have a comfortable lead in the NL Central, so they do not need to get on any player for slow starts or slumps but this game has to be a little concerning. The Cubs should feel good knowing they have a great season record despite two of their most talented players struggling, and if they get going like they both know how the Cubs might be able to just run away with the NL Central.
Extra Trash: Nestor Cortes RP Mariners – .1IP 5H 7ER 2BB 1K 1L; Matt Chapman 3B Athletics-0-5; Ivan Nova SP Tigers – 3.1IP 5H 8ER 2BB 1K 1L; Joey Gallo OF Rangers – 0-4 4K; Kyle Wright SP Braves – 3IP 2H 3ER 6BB 1K 1L.