Gerrit Cole Finished Regular Season Pitching Schedule
The Yankees ace completed his final regular-season start before the team begins the AL wild-card series next week.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Baseball
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Gerrit Cole wrapped up his regular-season schedule for the New York Yankees, throwing 105 pitches in a 9-2 victory over the Rays. The veteran right-hander recorded eight strikeouts while allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Why it matters
The Yankees must now finalize their pitching rotation for the upcoming AL wild-card series, where Cole is expected to make an appearance. Managing his workload after returning from elbow surgery remains a priority for the coaching staff.
Gerrit Cole finished the season with a 3.61 ERA, tallying eight strikeouts in his final outing. His 105-pitch count marked only the second time he reached triple digits during his 22 starts this year.
The players
Gerrit Cole
He is the New York Yankees starting pitcher who returned to the mound this season following elbow surgery last year.
Ben Rice
He is a New York Yankees hitter who reached the milestone of 41 home runs during the regular season.
Ryan McMahon
He is a player who contributed five RBIs and a grand slam to help defeat the Rays.
Cam Schlittler
He is a Yankees pitcher expected to start during the upcoming AL wild-card series.
The details
Cole utilized his four-seam fastball to generate four whiffs across 25 swings, successfully navigating 5 2/3 innings on the mound. In the same contest, teammate Ben Rice tallied his 40th and 41st home runs of the year, while Ryan McMahon added a grand slam and five total RBIs to secure the win.
Timeline
Gerrit Cole pitched his final regular-season game on September 23, 2026.
Cam Schlittler is scheduled to pitch his regular-season finale on September 24, 2026.
The AL wild-card series is set to begin next week.
Season Trajectory
The Yankees must weigh Cole's recent pitch counts against his recovery from the 2025 elbow surgery as they build a rotation for the postseason. This strategic usage of their ace directly dictates whether they can maintain a competitive edge during the high-stakes AL wild-card series.
The 105-pitch effort confirms that Cole is trending toward a full starter's workload for the opening round of the playoffs. Fantasy managers should monitor the upcoming announcement of the wild-card rotation to see if Cam Schlittler or Cole takes the mound for Game 1.
The takeaway
Cole's successful completion of the regular season provides the Yankees with a stable top-tier starter as they enter the playoffs. Management must now balance his proven efficiency with the need for a deep rotation during the pressure-filled wild-card series.
What happens next
The AL wild-card series is scheduled to begin next week, where the team will officially unveil its starting rotation for the series opener.
Further reading
For more on the team's postseason prospects, visit the Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
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