Gerrit Cole Struggles With Fastball Ahead of Postseason Starts

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole faces critical adjustments in his final two regular-season starts after allowing seven home runs over his last two outings. Opponents are hitting .333 against his four-seam fastball over his last four starts, generating just an 11.6% whiff rate in his last three. Despite maintaining 97 mph velocity, hard-hit contact has spiked significantly. Cole previously held a 3.29 ERA through 18 starts in his return from Tommy John surgery.