Video summary
Gerrit Cole secured a victory against the Orioles by striking out eight batters, demonstrating a refined command of his craft that allowed him to retire eleven consecutive hitters after an early walk. He attributes this impressive rhythm to the precise location and effective mix of his pitches, emphasizing the importance of pounding first-pitch strikes to get ahead in counts. Cole noted that his team's unpredictability often forces hitters to respect offerings outside the strike zone, which subsequently widens the margin for error on subsequent pitches and makes it harder for batters to adjust.
The game dynamics shifted significantly after the Yankees managed to score some early runs following a defensive play by Cavallaro, putting pressure on the Orioles and allowing Cole to manage the game more effectively from that point forward. Although the team has struggled to generate offense recently, Cole explained that scoring early changes the momentum and allows the pitching staff to focus on maintaining control rather than trying to overcome a deficit. He observed that opposing hitter Jones appeared more comfortable and better adjusted as the game progressed, viewing such adjustments as a positive sign of the opponent's growing confidence.
A major highlight of the night was Cole surpassing Roger Clemens on the franchise all-time wins list, an achievement he described as reaching the status of a "goat" or greatest of all time. While acknowledging that many people have contributed to his success over the years and that credit is shared among teammates and staff, Cole expressed deep respect for Clemens' legacy and the significance of this milestone. He credited his mentor with setting a great example through confidence, demeanor, and a business-like approach that remains intense and focused, qualities that Cole strives to emulate in his own career.
Looking ahead, Cole expressed high confidence in his current performance, stating that he is commanding the ball well and making sound decisions throughout his outings. He believes that incorporating his curveball into his repertoire adds another layer of difficulty for hitters, forcing them to respect a wider variety of pitches. As he continues to build on this momentum, Cole remains focused on maintaining his high level of play and contributing to the team's success by leveraging early offensive contributions to control the flow of the game.
Read the full video transcript
After that walk in the first, you
retired 11 in in a row. Just what
allowed you to get into such a rhythm?
>> Um I think good location and good mix of
pitches.
>> You mentioned the good location. You
really pounded in first pitch strike.
Just how much does that help you when
when you're able to do that?
>> Um I mean, it's great to get ahead. Uh
and I think sometimes we got ahead even
outside of the strike zone, which means
that
um I think we're doing a good job being
unpredictable.
>> Seemed like you used your curveball a a
little bit tonight and and had success
with it. When you're able to incorporate
it in the way you did tonight, just what
does that do to your repertoire?
>> I think it just
I mean, it's just uh it's just another
offering that I think the hitter has to
respect. And so
potentially it might widen up the margin
for error for another pitch later in the
count.
>> This team has struggled to to score a
little bit as of late. When they're able
to put up some runs early, I know your
job remains the same, but does that
allow you to attack even more any
differently when they put up some early
runs on the board?
>> Yeah, I mean
you know,
I thought in the first inning was like,
you know, not ideal, but we ended with a
great play from Cavallaro and then came
back out and answered
um shortly thereafter putting up some
runs and putting pressure
um on the Orioles. And then
uh it I mean, look, like we just tried
to manage the game after that. So it's
it's it it it changes the dynamic a
little bit when you score runs early and
you got to use it to your advantage.
>> What's your preview about Jones since
he's been up?
>> I think his ability to adjust. Yeah, he
he seems to be more comfortable and
better.
Um
And that that's a great sign.
>> Gerrit, you passed Roger Clemens on the
franchise list. What does that mean to
you?
>> That's That's the goat. That's a
big-time name. So uh
uh
A lot of people have been a part of it
over the years and so um a lot of credit
gets spread around.
>> He was in spring training. What were
some of the things you picked up from
him, if any?
>> Um
you know, I think his his confidence,
his demeanor,
and his just his business-like approach
seems to be very intense and focused guy
going about his business in in a certain
way that sets a great example. Jared,
where would you put your confidence
right now with the way you've been
throwing it?
I think it's pretty good, yeah. It's
it's it's high.
I'm commanding the ball well and making
good decisions by and large.