Add The New York Post on Google The Yankees open a weekend series against the Twins on Friday night in The Bronx, and they will do so with one of their biggest names on the mound.
Gerrit Cole gets the ball for the Bombers, but this has not been the cleanest stretch for the veteran right-hander.
Cole has looked more hittable than usual lately as he works his way back into peak form after Tommy John surgery, and the biggest issue has been the long ball.
He has allowed seven home runs over his past five starts, including two in his latest outing against the Red Sox and three against the Guardians in early June.
That is not exactly ideal with a power-heavy Twins lineup coming to Yankee Stadium tied for the 9th-most long balls in baseball heading into Thursday’s play, and Byron Buxton is the hitter who stands out most.
Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the Colorado Rockies during the eighth inning of the game at Target Field on June 28, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images Buxton is not likely to play, having been out of the lineup since June 28 with a right hip impingement and is considered day-to-day.
In the case that he does, he has not needed many chances to do damage against Cole. Buxton has gone just 2-for-7 in his career against the Yankees ace, but both hits left the yard in a 2022 matchup.
Buxton, who leads Minnesota with 25 home runs this season, trailing only Yordan Alvarez in the American League, is day-to-day with a hip issue, leaving his status in question, but the Twins have enough weapons to make Cole pay if he continues to miss over the plate.
Target Buxton if he returns to the lineup and fade Cole regardless of what is set to be a scorcher in the Big Apple.
The play: Gerrit Cole Over (-116, DraftKings) | Byron Buxton to hit a home run
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
