Yankees Rumors: Gerrit Cole Starting MLB World Series G4 'Not at All on the Radar'

Although the New York Yankees may be facing elimination in Game 4 of the World Series, a potential appearance from Gerrit Cole on the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers doesn't seem likely.

SNY's Andy Martino reported on Monday that the Yankees have "not considered, much less discussed" starting Cole on three days of rest to potentially avoid a series defeat.

"Those sources did not say that there was zero chance of that happening, but as of now, it's not at all on the radar," Martino wrote.

New York heads back to Yankee Stadium facing a 2-0 series deficit, unable to capitalize on chances win the first two contests of the Fall Classic.

Cole allowed just one run and recorded four strikeouts in six innings of work during Game 1, throwing 88 pitches. The Yankees still weren't able to maintain a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning and a 3-2 advantage in the 10th frame, as Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam.

New York trailed 4-2 in the top of the ninth inning during a Game 2 clash with the Dodgers and had the opportunity to tie the game. However, Anthony Volpe and Jose Trevino couldn't drive in runs with the bases loaded and one out.

Clarke Schmidt is set to open the third game of the series on the mound, with Lucas Gil currently scheduled to start Game 4.

Martino noted that Cole has started on three days rest just once in his career. In Game 5 of the 2020 American League Division Series with New York, he struck out nine batters and allowed one run in 5.1 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Cole has shown why he's the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner throughout the Yankees' current postseason run. He's posted a 2.82 ERA in four starts, racking up 16 strikeouts in 22.1 innings.

If New York falls into a 3-0 series hole, the buzz surrounding Cole potentially starting to avoid elimination could grow. There don't appear to be any current plans to start him on three days of rest so far, though.