Manoah: I don't regret calling Yankees' Cole a cheater 'at all'

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah is standing by his comments calling New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole the biggest cheater in baseball history.

During the offseason, Manoah cited Cole's use of sticky substances on his pitching hand as the reason:

When asked Friday if he'd take back his comments, Manoah said, "No. Not at all," according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith.

The spat between Manoah and Cole originated during a game between the Blue Jays and Yankees last August. Manoah hit Yankees star Aaron Judge with a pitch, which incensed Cole.

Manoah appeared to challenge Cole following that game. "I think if Gerrit wants to do something, he can walk past the Audi sign next time," Manoah said.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider attributed Manoah's comments to his fiery personality.

"Some of the things that Alek has said - between the Audi sign and other things - it's Alek being him," Schneider said Friday.

Manoah and Cole will face off in the pitching matchup as the Blue Jays and Yankees continue their weekend series in The Bronx on Saturday.

Manoah's teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is looking forward to the showdown between the two pitchers.

"They're both great competitors," Guerrero said, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. "They're gonna give all they got."