Yankees’ Gerrit Cole on ALCS Loss to Astros: Getting ‘Waxed’ Never Feels Good
Getting swept at the hands of the Astros still burns Gerrit Cole – much like a trip to the beauty salon.
The Yankees’ ace was asked about the end of New York’s 2022 campaign on Thursday at spring training. The disappointing four-game American League Championship Series, which concluded with Houston celebrating in the Bronx, naturally left a bitter taste in Cole’s mouth.
But after an offseason to think about the letdown, the right-hander can now joke about the one-sided series.
"We got waxed,” Cole told reporters. “Any time you get waxed, it doesn't feel good – whether you're going to the salon or you're on a baseball field."
For those wondering, Cole’s quip is not based on personal experience. He confirmed to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner that he’s never actually gotten waxed before.
While Cole’s assessment of the Yankees’ ALCS garnered plenty of laughs, there’s truth to his joke. New York struck out a whopping 50 times over four games and scored just nine runs that series as the Astros marched their way to another World Series appearance and title. It was the third time since 2017 that Houston outlasted the Yankees in the ALCS.
Cole was also blunt about his team’s performance – but in less of a joking mood – when the series ended.
"They beat us in every facet,” Cole said last October when asked what it would take to close the gap between the Yankees and their rival. “My expertise is not in general managing or acquiring or building rosters, so it's hard for me to answer, but I watched the series, and I didn't really see an area where we played better than them."
Despite all the Yankees’ offensive struggles in the ALCS, the team reported to spring training with a projected lineup that is, currently, largely the same. Still, Cole believes he’s part of a championship caliber squad.
“Yeah,” Cole said when asked if the Yankees can win the World Series this year. “I believe in our team.”
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