Story perspectives

Cole, Fried Pitch Yankees’ First Dual-Ace Doubleheader

7/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Gerrit Cole and Max Fried started the Yankees’ July 22, 2026 doubleheader vs. Pittsburgh, the first time both aces pitched together.
Cole threw seven innings, allowed three runs and struck out 11, and lost 5-3.
Fried, returning from the IL on a ~60-pitch limit, pitched five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts to earn a 2-0 win.
Fried’s eight-year, $218 million deal and Cole’s $324 million megadeal underscore the Yankees’ plan for a top rotation.

History

Historical Context

In 2000, Alex Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers, the richest contract in sports at the time and a benchmark for MLB payrolls. The Yankees later followed that model, giving Gerrit Cole a $324 million, nine-year pact and Max Fried an $218 million, eight-year deal for the 2026 doubleheader, intensifying luxury-tax debates.

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Story summary

Gerrit Cole and Max Fried started the Yankees’ July 22, 2026 doubleheader vs. Pittsburgh, the first time both aces pitched together.
Cole threw seven innings, allowed three runs and struck out 11, and lost 5-3.
Fried, returning from the IL on a ~60-pitch limit, pitched five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts to earn a 2-0 win.
Fried’s eight-year, $218 million deal and Cole’s $324 million megadeal underscore the Yankees’ plan for a top rotation.

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