Yankees’ Gerrit Cole Reacts to Rivalry With Blue Jays’ Alek Manoah

The New York ace commented on harsh criticism from his Toronto counterpart.

The Blue Jays and Yankees seemingly have amped up their rivalry in recent years as the two sides battle for positioning in the AL East. That friction has been heightened by Toronto starter Alek Manoah, who openly has labeled New York ace Gerrit Cole as the biggest cheater in baseball history.

On Saturday, Cole and Manoah faced off in the Bronx, and Manoah appeared to try to get into Cole’s head by walking back to the dugout from the bullpen late, which delayed the start of the game. However, Cole downplayed Manoah’s action by arguing that he “didn’t notice” the Blue Jays starter. 

Hang on, Alek Manoah is making an ✨entrance✨ pic.twitter.com/rjsPBAaxxT

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 22, 2023

Cole also downplayed Manoah’s cheater comment, saying he doesn’t focus on anything outside of the team.

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“I get all of my motivation from inside this clubhouse,” he said.

Gerrit Cole on comments about him made by Alek Manoah: "I get all of my motivation from inside this clubhouse."#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/2DYHTJB4qB

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 22, 2023

Both Cole and Manoah shined Saturday, as neither pitcher allowed a run. Cole threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and Manoah posted seven scoreless frames. That start gives Cole a 0.79 ERA to start the season, while Manoah’s ERA dropped to 5.13 after his best outing of the year. The Yankees ultimately won, 3-2, on Saturday, avenging a 6-1 Toronto win Friday.

The rubber match is scheduled for Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. The two sides will play again in a four-game series next month, and they also are scheduled to play six of the last 12 games of the season against each other.