Gerrit Cole will be pitching on short rest for the first time in his big league career on Friday night when he takes the mound for the New York Yankees in Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the decision was made when he passed his ace Thursday and made eye contact.
"Hey, give me the ball," he remembered Cole saying.
Cole said he took inspiration from watching CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander and other past aces carry teams on short rest.
"When the lights turn on, it doesn't matter if it's three, four, five, six, seven days," Cole said. "It's a special opportunity."
Tyler Glasnow will be pitching on two days' rest for the Rays after throwing 93 pitches in Game 2.
The Game 5 winner will remain in San Diego to face the Houston Astros in the AL Championship Series starting Sunday night. The Yankees are trying to reach the ALCS for the third time in four seasons.
Associated Press
