AL DIVISION SERIES: GUARDIANS VS YANKEES

October 15, 2022

Gerrit Cole

Progressive Field

New York Yankees

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. Gerrit, what's some of the challenges of facing a team so close together, facing them again in such a short period of time?

GERRIT COLE: Familiarity, probably. Familiarity and then, you know, if you run into somebody that's hot, usually that spans the course of the series.

Q. Pitched well first time out against them. What do you take away from that outing?

GERRIT COLE: I thought we were solid in general, kind of in all aspects, and so looking to find little ways to improve and stay right there.

Q. Gerrit, José Ramírez in particular, what makes him a challenge?

GERRIT COLE: Well, I think he's a really special player, and he's been one of the most productive players in the league, certainly pretty much as long as I've been here.

He has a lot of talent and I think he's a good leader. I mean, Cleveland is -- he's been here for a long time, and Cleveland always seems to be extremely competitive with him on their team.

Q. Gerrit, how do you like pitching in this ballpark in particular, and how much of -- your preparation in road starts, does it have anything to do with the ballpark, the conditions, the dimensions?

GERRIT COLE: I mean, there are, like, several ballpark factors that, you know -- like, for example if you go to Oakland, you got to make sure you're backing the bases. Here, I think the only unique thing to be aware of is when you're backing up bases that you can lose your footing on the artificial warning track.

And outside of that, like, yeah, it's October so it's cold and, you know -- but it's cold in New York too, so whatever.

Q. Gerrit, you've been pretty good in the second half -- or second time facing a team back to back. Do you enjoy that chess match of facing a team so close together?

GERRIT COLE: I mean, sure.

Q. Why?

GERRIT COLE: Because usually it's in the postseason.

Q. You've had successful playoff outings at home in your career, on the road in your career. What do you like, if you do like, pitching on the road when the crowd is hostile, the way it will be tomorrow night?

GERRIT COLE: Just try to be indifferent to the environment regardless of where you're at, really. Prepare yourself for cheering at certain times when you're at home and certain times when you're on the road.

And the main goal is always to cut through the noise and find your focus.

Q. Gerrit, Severino going for you guys tonight. What did you see down the stretch from him through the final three starts that tells you he's prepared and ready for this moment?

GERRIT COLE: Electricity. Seems like just an intensity and his focus and his routine and his preparation. He seemed a bit, you know, like chomping at the bit when he came off of the injured list. And I feel that he's just gained traction since he's come back for us.

The Texas start was like -- he was, like, 100 on the edge all night, like that's a pretty good place to be. So looking forward to tonight. I know he loves being a warrior for us.