Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees take on the first-place Chicago White Sox for a three-game series starting Tuesday...

5 things to watch

Can Gerrit Cole bounce back?

Cole looked like his old self in his first two starts since returning to the big leagues from Tommy John surgery that cost him his 2025 season. The right-hander dealt 12.2 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts while allowing just six hits and three walks.

In his two starts after, he has surrendered six runs on 11 hits (including three home runs) and three walks (and a HBP) over 9.1 innings with just six strikeouts.

Cole matched his season high in pitches thrown (83) in his last outing and hit 100 mph with his fastball, but labored through four innings on a muggy night in Cleveland. “I thought it was kind of a grind for him,” manager Aaron Boone said of Cole's start. “His stuff was up, but probably not the shapes he wanted. I thought overall his stuff was good. They made him work hard.”

And he's getting the White Sox at a good time: Chicago batters are 36-for-161 (.224, fourth lowest) with a .696 OPS (eighth lowest) over the last five games.

Paul Goldschmidt swinging hot bat

Goldschmidt has hit safely in each of his last seven games with 12 hits in 29 at-bats (.414) and a 1.058 OPS with 12 RBI and two home runs, including a big one in Saturday's win in Toronto.

The 38-year-old's hot streak has come at a good time as the Yanks are struggling at the plate, hitting .238 (9th lowest) with a .724 OPS (12th lowest) over the last 11 games, despite Goldschmidt's best efforts. The Yanks and Goldschmidt will face a tough test in Davis Martin in the series opener. The White Sox right-hander enters with a 2.41 ERA, 1.098 WHIP in 78.1 innings over 13 starts this season.

Of course, Goldschmidt will be looking forward to facing White Sox lefty Anthony Kay in the second game of the series, as the veteran is crushing southpaws again this season, with a .417/.514/.783 slash line for a 1.297 OPS in 72 plate appearances.

Clutch hitting against struggles?

The Bronx Bombers could use a bit more consistent pop, but the timely hitting has been there as they've won six of their last seven games.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is struggling for hits of late with six hits in his last 35 at-bats (.171) in his last 11 games, but when he is getting hits, they're big: three homers and nine RBI in that span.

Anthony Volpe, amid his season-long struggles at the plate, is 4-for-28 (.143) in his last nine games came up with two hits and two RBI, both of which gave the Yanks a lead in an 8-3 win over the Blue Jays on Sunday.

For the season, the Yankees have posted a .267 average (8th best) with an .822 OPS (5th best) in late and close situations. And in the eighth inning or later, New York has 20 home runs (5th most) and 83 RBI (3rd most).

"It just speaks to the mentality of the group," Rice said about Sunday's team effort. "I feel like everyone's got that next-man-up mentality -- regardless of who's on the mound, regardless of the situation."

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