The Yankees didn’t get the Gerrit Cole they expected for much of the season thanks to the inflamed elbow that sidelined him until mid-June.

And even after his return, the results were largely unlike those of a year ago, when Cole won his first Cy Young Award.

But based on his last two outings – and four of his previous five – the right-hander has returned to top form just in time for the postseason.

Cole helped the Yankees clinch the AL East title with 6²/₃ scoreless innings in a 10-1 win over Baltimore in The Bronx.

It followed a complete-game victory in Oakland in which Cole allowed just a pair of hits and a walk.

“There were some ups and downs this year and I just tried to compete and give us a chance to win,” Cole said. “Tonight was fun. You have a chance to win a division and it’s special to be there. It’s the best feeling. The stakes are high.”

Cole held the playoff-bound Orioles without a hit until Ramon Urias hit a ball through the right side of the infield with two outs in the fifth.

When he left in the seventh, Cole had again given up two hits and walked only one, as he outplayed Baltimore ace Corbin Burnes.

These types of performances weren’t as common earlier this year, when Cole struggled with command issues at times and lacked his typical dominant skills.

Before the game, Aaron Boone called this season “unique” for Cole “because he has been so durable throughout his career. Dealing with the injury early on and coming to terms with that and what that meant put him out of his normal season routine for the first few months.

He’s doing significantly better since missing a start in Philadelphia in late July due to general body fatigue.

Outside of the seven runs against the Red Sox and Rafael Devers on September 14, Cole was solid to excellent.

He walked off the field to a standing ovation in The Bronx, with expectations for similar performances in the playoffs.

“That’s what you want as a player: division is there for the taking,” Cole said. “You have to go out and get it.”

He did that by pitching in the seventh inning, even when the game was out of reach.

Cole said he did that with the playoffs in mind.

“I have to prepare,” Cole said. “I expect to throw 110 pitches in about a week.”

And he left his manager impressed.

“Losing two tough games and wanting to get this thing done, there was some pressure today,” Boone said. “His Yankee career was excellent and he had several moments of truth and sounding the alarm.”

Perhaps the lighter workload will prove beneficial in the postseason as Cole seems to be hitting his stride at a perfect time.

The ace of the staff did not hear it: “I would rather have more than 200 turns now.”