On Monday afternoon, Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. said, "Real players make real history in the postseason." Well, Tatis isn't in San Diego as the Padres prepare to play the Dodgers in Arlington, Texas, but Gerrit Cole is. The Yankees' ace lived up to those words against the Rays in Monday's Game 1 of the ALDS at Petco Park.
With the Yankees holding a slim 4-3 lead, Tampa Bay loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. With everything on the line and no room for a mistake, Cole reached back for everything he had.
He got the count to 1-2 on Rays outfielder Manuel Margot. Then Cole let loose with a 100 mph fastball that Margot could only wave at.
You think Cole wasn't up for it? Just listen to the bloodcurdling primal scream he let loose after getting the K:
That wasn't just a little extra oomph -- it was the fastest pitch Cole threw all season.
After losing in the World Series with the Astros last year, it seems Cole doesn't want to go down the same way this season, and he'll do anything he can to ensure the win -- even if it means scratching his vocal chords a little.