The former Astro comes back to Minute Maid Park on Saturday needing to end the first half of the season on a good note. The Yankees ace needs to put an end to his own personal slide and get the Bombers to the All-Star break with some momentum.
“I think, obviously, we have a good team that we’re playing against, somebody in the American League who measures themselves against the kind of the top of the league and ultimately a team that if they continue to play well, we’ll have to overcome them in the postseason,” Cole said before Friday’s game. “Just for us, as a group, it’s certainly had our ups and downs and played a decent series against Seattle. I think we’re just looking to continue that play through the break and end on a good note as a group.
“And personally to close the book on the first half on a good note as well,” Cole added. “That would be nice.”
The Yankees, who came into this series just two games above .500, have a long way to go before they can think about facing the Astros or any team in the playoffs. First and foremost, to be a team that can think about that, Cole has to get back on track.
