Gerrit Cole will pitch against the Mets in the upcoming Subway Series, but barring a rainout in Atlanta for the Mets on Thursday night, Jacob deGrom won't be making an appearance.
Still, the Yankee ace has had a chance to watch the Mets ace during his historic 2021 season, and Cole is as much in awe as the rest of the baseball world, as deGrom continues one of the most dominant pitching stretches the game has ever seen.
"He's about as good as it gets, isn't he?" Cole laughed. "He's fantastic with his velocity, his movement on his pitches and his location, and the numbers back it up."
Many were hoping for a Cole/deGrom showdown in the Bronx this weekend, but it appears that will be missed by just one day. DeGrom is scheduled to take his 0.69 ERA to the mound on Thursday night against the Braves, when it will be much easier for Cole to admire deGrom's ability, as opposed to if he was doing it against his own team.
"Brushed across him a few times over my career," Cole said. "He's down to earth and a humble guy. As competitors, when we play against teams or pitchers like that, we don't always root for them, but as professionals, from the outside looking across town, it's been pretty special to watch."
Cole and the Yankee Stadium crowd won't get to watch deGrom up close this weekend, which is likely good news for the Yanks, as nobody has been able to solve deGrom this season, or even get him out at the plate, as he's batting .414 in 29 plate appearances. If deGrom was to pitch in the Bronx this weekend, would the Mets even use a DH?
"And to boot, he rakes," Cole said. "He's been really fun to watch. He's been really good for the game…It's been hard to fathom how good he's been."
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
