"I don't care if Aaron Judge goes 0-50" - Alex Rodriguez believes only Gerrit Cole can keep Yankees' hopes alive against Dodgers in World Series

The New York Yankees have determined, as of the time of writing, that they're not going to start Gerrit Cole with a 3-0 deficit. With their backs firmly against the wall, Aaron Boone is giving the ball to Luis Gil and not his ace on short rest. That's not to say he won't appear, but it is highly unlikely.

After the Yankees' latest loss, former star Alex Rodriguez implored the Yankees to consider giving the ball to Cole as long as he's healthy.

"Your season's on the line," A-Rod said. "They have a bullpen game. You have to extend, it would be a bloodbath if you lose and you don't use him again."

Derek Jeter said it's not going to happen, acknowledging that pitchers have to be on their schedules. He believes if Cole were to return on three days rest, things would have been noticeable by now.

"You would love to see [him ask for the ball] and if he came out tomorrow, maybe that's the spark they need," Rodriguez added. "I don't care if Aaron Judge goes 0-50, he's hitting third. I don't care, I'm going to lose with my best... To go down without your best pitcher, that would be painful."

Cole's season didn't begin until June because of injuries, and he has not quite been the same pitcher this year, but he did pitch extremely well and leave with a lead in the sixth inning of Game 1.

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Aaron Boone already shut down talk of Gerrit Cole starting

Should the New York Yankees lose tonight, it will not be after a Gerrit Cole start and he will not get to pitch a second time in the World Series. He's on track for Game 5, but that may not happen. He will not start Game 4, according to Aaron Boone.

Gerrit Cole will not start Game 4 (Imagn)

Yankees beat reporter Bryan Hoch said:

“There is no scenario in which Gerrit Cole starts Game 4 on short rest, Aaron Boone said. Boone said he wouldn’t want to do that considering Cole’s injury issue earlier this year."

Luis Gil gets the ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are going with a bullpen day. These comments were made before the Game 3 loss, which may impact Boone's thinking. However, it remains unlikely that Cole will be put out there on Tuesday.