Gerrit Cole responds to Josh Naylor's HR celebration mocking the New York Yankees ace during game 4 of ALDS

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole has responded to Josh Naylor's 'rocking the baby' celebration during Game 4 of the American League Division Series.

In his post-match conference, Cole described it as "cute" and funny.

"Yeah. Whatever. It’s cute. I just wasn't aware of it. I didn't see it in the moment and it wouldn't have bothered me in the moment and is just kind of funny."

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Naylor was also spotted calling Cole his "little f***ing son." Naylor entered hitting .267 (4-for-15) with two homers against Cole in his career. However, the all-important home run came in the fourth inning, cutting Cleveland's deficit to just one run.

The 405-foot homer left Naylor's bat at 110.3 mph, marking the 35th homer allowed by Cole this season and the third-hardest home run of Naylor's career.

The Guardians' Triston McKenzie explained to MLB.com earlier this month the reason behind Naylor's celebration.

He said:

“Nayls, when he hits homers off people, he calls them his son. Hence the rocking the baby as he runs around the bases."

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However, the Yankees had the last laugh, winning the game 4-2 to force a decider in New York, with Cole giving up just two runs in seven innings and just one run in 6 ¹/₃.

Gerrit Cole reacts to crucial Game 4 win over the Cleveland Guardians

Despite Gerrit Cole's disastrous record with respect to homers allowed, he stuck to his basics, continuing his form from Game 1. The 32-year-old struck out eight in a 110-pitch outing to keep the Guardians at bay. After the game, Cole reacted to his splendid performance which took them to the Bronx for the decider, saying:

“When they told me I was going Game 4, you know there’s an opportunity to clinch or go home. I didn’t approach the game any different. I just went out there and did my job.”

Gerrit Cole stepped up in Game 4 to deliver a 4-2 win over the Guardians

The winner of Game 5 in New York will meet the Astros in the AL Championship Series. In the history of the best-of-five postseason series, teams trailing 2-1 that won Game 4 to stay alive went on to also win Game 5 26 of 47 times, which is nearly 55% of the time.

Now, with everything on the line, Cole and the Yankees will look to end a thrilling series at home and move closer to another Championship Series appearance.