World Series: Can Gerrit Cole keep Yankees alive vs. Dodgers?

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NEW YORK -- On Sept. 20, before a game against the Oakland A's, Gerrit Cole approached the lockers of the New York Yankees relief pitchers. In his previous start against Boston, Cole had called for a bases-empty intentional walk to Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers, a move that precipitated a calamitous collapse. Cole had lasted only 4\u2153 innings, placing pressure on his bullpen -- at a time of the season when they were all gassed. Cole still felt bad. He promised the Yankees relievers they could rest easy.

"You guys don't have to do anything today," Cole said.

Over the next 2½ hours, Cole put on a pitching clinic. He threw nine…