Gerrit Cole’s track record vs. Dodgers: What to expect in Yankees pitcher's World Series Game 1 start

On Friday, Gerrit Cole will make the third World Series start of his career, and his first as a member of the New York Yankees. After a season hindered by injury, Cole has once again regained his title as the jewel of his club's rotation.

After winning the 2023 AL Cy Young Award, an injury sustained during spring training delayed the 34-year-old's season debut until mid-summer. In 17 starts, the southern California native went 8-5, pitching to a 3.41 ERA.

"Gerrit Cole is currently 1 of 4 pitchers with 20+ postseason starts to have a sub 3.00 ERA." - Baseball Reference

A member of the Yankees since 2020, Cole previously spent five seasons pitching in the National League for the Pittsburgh Pirates (before his two seasons with the Houston Astros). For this reason, the right-hander has faced the LA Dodgers more than the majority of his teammates, especially the ones who are lifelong members of the Yankees.

Throughout his career, Gerrit Cole has faced the LA Dodgers eight times. However, only one of those appearances has come in the pinstripes. Cole's most recent engagement against the Dodgers came in June 2023, when he pitched six innings, allowing one run on four hits, and struck out five.

""It's gonna be a special night. We're looking forward to getting on the attack." - Gerrit Cole to @M_Marakovitz when asked how he felt about pitching Game 1 of the World Series @GothamSports" - YES Network

Although Cole's appearances against the Dodgers are not recent, he has seen more of some of the club's big hitters, such as Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani. In 21 appearances against Cole, Ohtani is 4-for-20 with a homer and three RBIs. Betts, a former member of the Boston Red Sox, is 6-for-14 with an RBI in his career against Gerrit Cole.

Gerrit Cole enjoys full confidence of teammates ahead of Game 1

As one of the best pitchers in his team's modern history, the decision to give Cole the start in Game 1 was likely not a hard one for manager Aaron Boone. As catcher Austin Wells said about Cole in comments to MLB.com:

"Gerrit's been great for me this year, he's been able to allow me to really focus on the minute details. With that being said, that's what contributes to him being so successful in his career"

His first World Series start since 2019, when he tossed for the Astros. Cole is as close as he has ever been to baseball's biggest prize.