"There is no tomorrow" - David Ortiz stresses Gerrit Cole has to start against Dodgers in Game 4 for Yankees’ survival in World Series

When he's been healthy, Gerrit Cole has been the best arm on the Yankees' rotation in 2024. Now, with the 2023 AL Cy Young winner having been passed over for the start in Game 4 of the World Series, an MLB analyst believes that Cole deserves the start.

Following the Dodgers' 4-2 win in Game 3, the FOX Sports panel discussed Yankee manager Aaron Boone's pitching options for Game 4. While other panelists were split, former Red Sox slugger and Hall of Famer David Ortiz backed the idea of using Cole, claiming "there is no tomorrow" for the Yankees now.

"Should Gerrit Cole start tomorrow night for the Yankees? The crew discuss Gerrit Cole's possible availability tomorrow night." - FOX Sports: MLB

In Game 1, Cole tossed 88 pitches over more than six innings and allowed just one earned run in his team's 6-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, since elbow inflammation and edema delayed Gerrit Cole's season debut until June, Boone and company are hesitant to take chances with the star's health on just three days of rest.

Instead, it will be rookie Luis Gil who gets the ball for the Yankees on Tuesday. Gil, 26, pitched in 29 regular season starts and finished with a 3.50 ERA. Gil's only appearance of the 2024 postseason to date came against the Cleveland Guardians on October 18 and saw the Dominican pitch 4 innings, allowing two earned runs.

"I see a lot of Yankee fans confused as to why their ace Gerrit Cole isn’t demanding the ball for Game 4. Ummm, Boone literally covered it during the post game" - Nicky the Good

Cole went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA across seventeen starts this season. Last year - despite the New York Yankees' poor record - Cole went 15-4, leading the AL with a 2.63 ERA to win the first Cy Young Award of his career.

Gerrit Cole's injuries weigh heavy on Aaron Boone's psyche

Ortiz's claim that there is no tomorrow without a Yankees win. However, there are more moving parts than can originally be discerned. Speaking to the New York Post after the Game 3 loss, manager Aaron Boone addressed the issue of starting Cole in Game 4:

"Not something I want to do with Gerrit this year, with what he’s been through”

Cole's arm will give his team the best chance to win, but if it risks long-term injury, then giving Cole the nod could jeopardize next season's success, alongside the Yankees' viability in Game 4.