The New York Yankees are set to open a weekend series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, with Gerrit Cole scheduled to start on the mound. Cole, a prominent pitcher for the Yankees, has been working to regain his peak form after Tommy John surgery, and recent outings have shown him to be more hittable than usual.
Cole's primary challenge in his last five starts has been giving up home runs. He allowed seven home runs over that span, including two in his most recent appearance against the Boston Red Sox and three against the Cleveland Guardians in early June. This tendency to allow long balls presents a significant challenge against a Twins lineup known for its power.
The Twins entered Thursday's play tied for ninth in Major League Baseball in home runs. A key player for Minnesota, Byron Buxton, who leads the team with 25 home runs this season, is currently day-to-day with a right hip impingement. He has been out of the lineup since June 28. If Buxton is in the lineup, he has a history of hitting home runs against Cole. In limited career matchups, Buxton has gone 2-for-7 against the Yankees' ace, with both hits being home runs in a 2022 game.
Despite Buxton's uncertain status, the Twins possess other offensive threats capable of capitalizing if Cole continues to miss his spots. The article suggests targeting Buxton if he plays and fading Cole, regardless of the forecast for a hot day in New York.