The surest sign that Cole didn’t have good stuff was that manager Aaron Boone had Clay Holmes — the former struggling closer — warming up in the bullpen with two outs and two on in the fourth, after Melendez’s homer.

Gerrit Cole's tenure as the New York Yankees ace has still been a success. Heading into Saturday's ALDS game against the Kansas City Royals, Cole has amassed a 4-2 record with a 3.40 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 7 postseason appearances for New York.

Cole, who didn't make his first appearance until June 19 because of elbow inflammation, went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts. He was particularly sharp in his last two outings, allowing one run, four hits and two walks in 15 2/3 innings in which he struck out 12.

The New York Yankees don't yet know their opponent for the American League Division Series, but they do know who will be taking the mound at the start of

As the Yankees prepare for their ALDS matchup against the Orioles or Royals, New York is getting their pitching ducks in a row.

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole did not have his best stuff Saturday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals. Right off the bat in the first inning, it was clear the Royals were seeing Cole's pitches well.

Gerrit Cole flashed a smile. On the eve of Game 1 of the ALDS, the Yankees ace considered his answer to a short, but not necessarily simple, question: What would winning the World Series mean to him?