Gerrit Cole takes the mound at Yankee Stadium carrying a 3.93 ERA and a nasty four-pitch mix headlined by a 96.8 mph four-seamer that generated 9.0 K/9 this season. Cole's recent outings show consistent velocity — topping 99 mph across all three starts — and his ability to miss bats against weaker offensive clubs makes him a significant advantage for New York in Game 1 of this split doubleheader. Pittsburgh's lineup without Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz is notably depleted in power and athleticism, leaving Ryan O'Hearn, Brandon Lowe, and Nick Gonzales as the primary threats Cole must navigate. Mitch Keller presents a stark contrast. His 5.14 ERA and 3.05 BB/9 reflect a pitcher who has struggled to command his arsenal in 2026. Velocity readings from his last three starts show a troubling decline — averaging between 86.7 and 89.7 mph on his fastball — well off his typical range. Against a Yankees lineup that, even without Judge and Stanton, features Ben Rice's 22 home runs and Paul Goldschmidt's veteran approach, Keller's command issues could snowball early at a hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium with 85-degree day-game conditions and a modest WSW wind. The Yankees bullpen holds the edge here. New York's +88 run differential (second in the AL East) reflects both offensive depth and bullpen reliability. Pittsburgh's relief corps, thinned by Evan Sisk's IL absence and the loss of Chris Devenski, leaned on multiple arms in the series opener loss July 20. The split doubleheader context means both teams have fresher bullpens than a traditional back-to-back, but New York's superior depth remains the decisive edge in close situations.

Scoring Dynamics

Early (1-3) 4R Cole sharp early, Keller struggles with command

Middle (4-6) 3R Bullpens enter as starters fade mid-game

Late (7-9) 2R NYY pen locks it down, adds insurance run

Matchup Analysis

Yankees

Cole ace-level stuff

Strong run differential +88

Home crowd energy

Ben Rice power surge

Judge/Stanton on IL

Thin rotation depth

Pirates

Lowe/O'Hearn middle lineup

Gonzales hot at .309

Recent 6-4 last ten

Keller ERA bloated at 5.14

Cruz/Horwitz key IL absences

Risk Factors

Keller early meltdown could inflate totals

Split DH context, fresh arms both sides

Key Matchups

Brandon Lowe vs Gerrit Cole pitcher Cole's sweeping SL neutralizes Lowe's pull-heavy LHB tendencies

Ben Rice vs Mitch Keller batter Rice's 22 HR power vs Keller's elevated walk rate and 5.14 ERA

Nick Gonzales vs Gerrit Cole pitcher Cole's high-spin FF at 96.8 mph dominates contact hitters

Statistical Edges

First to Score Yankees 62%

Strikeouts 16 13-20

Total Runs 9 7-12

Game Preview

The afternoon sun beats down on Yankee Stadium as Gerrit Cole toes the rubber against a Pirates club still stinging from their 8-5 defeat two days ago. Cole wastes little time establishing dominance — his four-seamer hums at 97 mph, and he fans two Pirates in the first before Ben Rice launches a solo shot off Keller in the bottom half, staking New York to an early lead. Keller's command issues surface almost immediately, falling behind in counts and leaving fastballs elevated in the zone. By the third inning, the game begins to slip away from Pittsburgh. Cody Bellinger works a two-out walk, and Rice follows with a two-run double to right-center that chases Keller from the game. Pittsburgh scratches back in the fourth on a Ryan O'Hearn RBI single, but Cole settles into vintage form, retiring 11 of the next 13 batters he faces. Nick Gonzales keeps Pittsburgh alive with a solo home run in the seventh, but it proves too little against a Cole-led Yankees squad that adds insurance through a Paul Goldschmidt sacrifice fly in the eighth. The Yankees bullpen slams the door in the final two innings, converting the 6-3 lead into a series sweep of Game 1. With Max Fried activated for Game 2, New York controls the momentum heading into the afternoon nightcap, showcasing why their +88 run differential makes them one of baseball's most complete teams despite the absence of Judge and Stanton.

Cole's velocity, command, and K-rate advantages over a depleted Pirates lineup and a struggling Keller create a clear edge. IL absences for Pittsburgh's Cruz and Horwitz limit their ceiling. Moderate confidence given Yankee Stadium's hitter-friendly day-game conditions.

Vjerojatni bacaci

Pittsburgh Pirates — Postava

Igrač	Poz.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Jake Mangum	RF	.303	2	21	.353	.375
Brandon Lowe	2B	.245	21	65	.314	.476
Bryan Reynolds	LF	.278	14	59	.394	.468
Rafael Flores Jr.	C	.333	1	2	.500	.667
Ryan O'Hearn	DH	.278	16	64	.342	.466
Nick Gonzales	3B	.311	6	46	.370	.414
Jacob Gonzalez	1B	.255	4	22	.321	.422
Billy Cook	CF	.220	0	2	.220	.293
Jared Triolo	SS	.246	1	19	.317	.320

New York Yankees — Postava

Igrač	Poz.	AVG	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG
Trent Grisham	CF	.227	11	41	.329	.410
Ali Sánchez	C	.229	0	4	.263	.286
Amed Rosario	DH	.235	9	27	.281	.451
Cody Bellinger	LF	.255	11	52	.345	.414
Jasson Domínguez	RF	.230	5	11	.269	.388
Jazz Chisholm Jr.	2B	.224	16	43	.300	.416
José Caballero	SS	.244	10	37	.295	.387
Ryan McMahon	3B	.217	9	26	.276	.385
Paul Goldschmidt	1B	.258	15	42	.316	.484

Poentirajuće igre

▲ 5

Jacob Gonzalez homers (4) on a fly ball to right field. Nick Gonzales scores.

2-0

▲ 7

Nick Gonzales homers (6) on a fly ball to right center field.

3-0

▼ 7

Ben Rice homers (30) on a fly ball to right field. Ryan McMahon scores. Austin Wells scores.

3-3

▲ 10

Jared Triolo singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Cody Bellinger. Nick Gonzales scores. Billy Cook to 2nd.

4-3

▲ 10

Jake Mangum singles on a line drive to center fielder Trent Grisham. Billy Cook scores. Jared Triolo to 3rd.

5-3

Pittsburgh Pirates — Udaranje

Igrač	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Jake MangumRF	5	0	2	1	0	1	0	.303	.728
Brandon Lowe2B	4	0	1	0	1	1	0	.245	.790
Bryan ReynoldsLF	5	0	0	0	0	2	0	.278	.862
Rafael Flores Jr.C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	1.167
Ryan O'HearnDH	4	0	0	0	0	3	0	.278	.808
Nick Gonzales3B	4	3	2	1	0	1	1	.311	.784
Jacob Gonzalez1B	4	1	1	2	0	0	1	.255	.743
Billy CookCF	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.220	.513
Jared TrioloSS	2	0	1	1	0	1	0	.246	.637
Ukupno	37	5	7	5	3	17	2

BATTING

HR: Gonzalez, J (4, 5th inning off Cole, 1 on, 2 out); Gonzales, N (6, 7th inning off Cole, 0 on, 2 out).

TB: Gonzales, N 5; Gonzalez, J 4; Lowe, B; Mangum 2; Triolo.

RBI: Gonzales, N (46); Gonzalez, J 2 (22); Mangum (21); Triolo (19).

2-out RBI: Gonzalez, J 2; Gonzales, N.

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Gonzales, N; Reynolds, B; Valdez, Es 2.

Team RISP: 2-for-9.

Team LOB: 6.

BASERUNNING

SB: Mangum (19, 2nd base off Cruz, F/Sánchez, A).

a-Struck out for Callihan, T in the 8th.

b-Walked for Davis, H in the 10th.

1-Ran for Ozuna in the 10th.

New York Yankees — Udaranje

Igrač	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OPS
Trent GrishamCF	4	0	1	0	1	0	0	.227	.739
Ali SánchezC	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.229	.549
Amed RosarioDH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.235	.732
Cody BellingerLF	4	0	1	0	1	3	0	.255	.759
Jasson DomínguezRF	4	0	1	0	1	0	0	.230	.657
Jazz Chisholm Jr.2B	5	0	0	0	0	1	0	.224	.716
José CaballeroSS	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.244	.682
Ryan McMahon3B	4	1	1	0	0	1	0	.217	.661
Paul Goldschmidt1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.258	.800
Ukupno	36	3	6	3	5	12	1

BATTING

2B: McMahon (10, Mlodzinski).

HR: Rice (30, 7th inning off Mlodzinski, 2 on, 1 out).

TB: Bellinger; Domínguez; Grisham; McMahon 2; Rice 4; Wells, A.

RBI: Rice 3 (71).

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Jones, S; Caballero; Chisholm Jr.

Team RISP: 1-for-10.

Team LOB: 10.

a-Grounded out for Wells, A in the 9th.

b-Struck out for Jones, S in the 9th.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Bacanje

Bacač	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Mitch Keller	5.0	3	0	0	2	6	0	75-47	4.90
Carmen Mlodzinski(BS, 1)	2.2	3	3	3	2	3	1	50-31	3.34
Mason Montgomery(W, 3-3)	1.1	0	0	0	1	2	0	19-12	3.79
Gregory Soto(S, 13)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	16-8	3.89

New York Yankees — Bacanje

Bacač	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Gerrit Cole	7.0	4	3	3	0	11	2	93-64	3.92
Brent Headrick	1.0	0	0	0	0	3	0	15-10	1.40
David Bednar	1.0	1	0	0	1	1	0	22-11	2.53
Fernando Cruz(L, 4-4)	0.1	2	2	1	2	0	0	24-13	2.51
Kervin Castro	0.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	9-7	3.38

Informacije o utakmici

Suci: Home Plate: Quinn Wolcott; First Base: Brock Ballou; Second Base: Adrian Johnson; Third Base: Paul Clemons

Stadion: Yankee Stadium, Bronx

Vrijeme: 83°F, Partly Cloudy

Vjetar: 14 mph, Out To CF

Pittsburgh Pirates — Vijesti

Yankees Aktiviraju Maxa Frieda za Start Igre 2 Protiv Pirati

Fried se vraća s ERA od 3.21 i 0.253 xwOBA u 10 nastupa, sidrištem NYY rotacije (razlika od 88 runova, 2. mjesto u AL Istoku) protiv Chandlera iz PIT (ERA 4.42, 0.32 xwOBA, zabilježeno 3-7). Cole preuzima popodnevni dio protiv Kellera (ERA 5.14, 0.353 xwOBA), dajući New Yorku značajnu prednost u bacačima u oba susreta.

Max Fried

Pittsburgh Pirates

New York Yankees

Pirati Ponovno Potpisuju Dominica Fletchera na Ugovor Minor League

Fletcher se vraća u Pittsburgh sistem minor lige nakon što je iskoristio opciju izlaza u srpnju; ovaj potez signalizira fleksibilnost liste za tim 50-47 koji je četvrti na NLC ljestvici s zabrinjavajućom dubinom rotacije (Keller s ERA od 5.14, Chandler s ERA od 4.77).

Pittsburgh Pirates

Gusari Biraju Khristiana Curtisa; Prebacuju Oneila Cruza na 60-Dnevnu Listu Ozljeda

Curtis dolazi dok PIT bori nekonzistentnost rotacije—Keller (ERA 5,14, xwOBA 0,354) i Chandler (ERA 4,77) imaju zajedno 9-15 kao rezultat. Cruzov odlazak eliminira opciju .264 AVG iz postave koja ima +44 u razlici trčanja ali trebava dubinu sa 7-3 u zadnjih 10 utakmica.

Oneil Cruz

Khristian Curtis

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates-Guardians dvostruka utakmica danas nakon odgode Clevelanda

Williams (3,81 ERA, 134 SO) započinje utakmicu 1 za CLE protiv Jonesa (4,37 ERA, 39 SO), a Allen (7 SO u 4 IP) je planiran za utakmicu 2 unatoč minimalnom nedavnom radu. Gusari ulaze 50-47 (+44 diff) u nizu 7-3; Čuvari sjede 51-46 (-2 diff) s 6-4 u zadnjih 10.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Boston Red Sox

Cleveland Guardians

Perspektiva Roka za Transakcije: Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates imaju rekord 50-47 (+44 razlika u trčanjima) sa serijom 7-3 u zadnjih 10 utakmica, ali nekonzistentnost rotacije ostaje neriješena—Keller (ERA 5.14, xwOBA 0.354) i Chandler (ERA 4.77, xwOBA 0.314) su daleko iznad prosjeka lige, dok Ashcraft (ERA 3.49, xwOBA 0.283) i Skenes (ERA 3.57, xwOBA 0.258) nose glavninu tereta.

Pittsburgh Pirates

New York Yankees — Vijesti

Yankees Aktiviraju Maxa Frieda za Start Igre 2 Protiv Pirati

Max Fried

Pittsburgh Pirates

New York Yankees

Pobjeda Dodgersa nad Yankees u Bronxu

LAD (62-36, +150 razlika trčanja) pobijedio je u nizu na neprijateljskom teritoriju dok NYY pada na 54-43 s jednom pobjedom; dubina rotacije Dodgersa (Ohtani 1,79 ERA na IL, Wrobleski 2,69 ERA, Yamamoto 2,85 ERA) pokazala se ključnom protiv tima Yankees koji vodi Schlittler s 2,05 ERA.

New York Yankees

Los Angeles Dodgers

Klein Imenovan za Otvarača za Nightcap Dodgersa protiv Yankeesa

Klein se pojavio u 27 utakmica s ERA od 2,58 i stopom K/9 od 9,77, uglavnom kao reliefer. Potez signalizira spremnost Dodgersa da koristi nekonvencionalnih strategija bacanja u dvostrukoj utakmici protiv tima Yankeesa koji je na 54-43 s razlikom od +90 trčanja.

Will Klein

New York Yankees

Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers-Yankees odgođeni u subotu zbog prognoze vremenske

Kašnjenje odgađa utakmicu između LAD-ovog vodeći rekord od 62-36 (+150 razlike tekućine) i NYY-ove 54-43 marke (+90 razlika). Schlittler (1.62 ERA, 0.92 WHIP) i Ohtani (1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) ostaju dostupni za preplaniranu utakmicu.

New York Yankees

Los Angeles Dodgers