The New York Yankees sit atop the American League East holding a 3-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles.
As they prepare for the postseason in an attempt to claim their MLB-best 28th World Series title, the Yankees will look to end the regular season in peak form.
With well-known stars Aaron Judge and Juan Soto leading the way offensively, a different player is expected to make the difference come playoff time.
MLB insider Deesha Thosar weighed in on the biggest X-factor player this postseason for the Yankees.
Gerrit Cole is named by Deesha as being needed for the Yankees to make a postseason run.
The Yankees boast their most complete team in years. Their biggest X-factor in winning the title in 2024? Embattled ace Gerrit Cole.
FOX Sports' @DeeshaThosar weighs in: https://t.co/AOV0ggtH3f pic.twitter.com/sk9EG6sjYK
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 16, 2024
Cole is the reigning American League Cy Young winner, but he has battled injuries during the 2024 season.
He has only started 15 games for the Yankees this year where he holds a record of 6 wins and 5 losses and a 3.97 earned run average with 87 strikeouts in 79.1 innings pitched.
These numbers aren’t horrible by any means, but the Yankees will need him to perform like the Cy Young-winning pitcher of last year if they want to make a run at the title in 2024.
Maybe the most concerning start was Cole’s most recent outing against the Boston Red Sox where he surrendered 7 earned runs on 7 hits throwing only 4.1 innings.
Cole had breezed through the first 3 innings of this game before unraveling and suffering his 5th loss of the season and his 3rd in the last 4 games he pitched.
The Yankees will need their Ace pitcher to find his mojo again if they hope to claim the World Series title in 2024.
NEXT: Aaron Judge Sends Clear Message After Win On Sunday