Andrew’s One Good and One Bad (Game 4)

Andrew’s One Good and One Bad

By Andrew Hefner

October 11, 2024

***

It's with great pleasure to say that once again the Yankees will be moving on to the ALCS. Game 4 showed a lot of the adjustments the Yanks have made throughout this series, but although it's all celebrations for now, there is always more to be done.

Let’s look at one good and one bad from the final game of the ALDS.

The Good (And the Great)

Gerrit Cole was lights out... There is no other appropriate way to describe the performance from the Yanks ace last night. He slashed an impressive stat line of 7.0 innings pitched, one earned run allowed, and no walks. The Yankees needed nothing more than consistency and hope last night, and Gerrit Cole certainly delivered. 

Until now, Yankees starters have only gone five innings or less this postseason, often leaving the heavy lifting in the tight spots up to the bullpen. Last night, that narrative was completely flipped on its head. Cole, who was starting his second game of the series, would only throw 87 pitches through 7 innings, allowing him to stay sharp throughout all of the pivotal Game 4. There was no point last night that suggested that Cole was not in the driver's seat of a certain at-bat and now with the Yanks potentially facing either the young and smart Tigers or the experienced and consistent Guardians, that control will be more than helpful. Cole was the guy to step up last night and proved that the rotation can still hold down the fort in the postseason. 

There is no way to talk about this series, though, without mention of the bullpen. With zero earned runs across all four games, they were all lights out. Featuring a newly “refurbished” Clay Holmes in a middle reliever position, and Weaver as the new closer, there was nothing that could stop them. Keeping this KC offense in check was so important, especially with such low-scoring games, and the bullpen kept them in check in the best possible way. 

The Bad

This time, it wasn’t the team as a whole that was bad, but instead, a few players who simply didn’t show up and show out last night. 

Austin Wells had been the an excellent player in baseball from the all-star break onwards, slashing incredible numbers while also being the day-to-day starter for the first time. Last night, however, he did not look to be in that same form. Going 0-4 and batting .125 in the series is not a good look, especially for a guy who took the cleanup position from Stanton, who did play well. Wells also had a quite sloppy play on defense in which he missed a catchable fly ball that if caught would have ended the inning. Overall, he just needs to be more patient at the plate like many others, and when he does he will be back to his old self. 

Jazz Chisolm also had a rough series. From being booed on the road, to going 0-3 in Game 4, things just simply didn't go right for him. He has been playing exceptional defense though and will remain in his position for the foreseeable future, I just think there's more to be desired from him.  

The Yankees will now be moving on to the ALCS. Although I did critique them a lot during this last series, it seems that the correct adjustments were made and will continue to be made throughout October. They still did pull through as I hoped they would and now will be facing the Tigers or Guardians who are headed to a Game 5.

For now, the Yanks can rest, refresh, and reflect, and come Monday night, they should be ready for the Championship Series!