Yankees hopeful Cole can get back on track: 'The stuff is still there'

It's been a strange season for New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.

The 32-year-old leads the American League with 244 strikeouts but has also permitted an AL-worst 31 home runs across his 188 1/3 innings.

"The stuff is still there," Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said, according to Dan Martin of the New York Post. "We just have to get him back to it."

Blake noted that Cole has to find a way to avoid the middle of the plate.

"The biggest thing is staying out of the damage zone," he said.

Cole has struggled in the month of September, posting a 4.94 ERA and allowing eight home runs in 23 2/3 innings (four starts).

The five-time All-Star is in the third season of a nine-year, $324-million contract signed before the 2020 campaign.

"As accomplished as he is, he's still human with the same issues other pitchers have," Blake said. "You have to remind him to slow things down."