The Yankees didn’t get the Gerrit Cole they expected for most of the season, as elbow inflammation sidelined him until mid-June.

And even after he returned, the results largely didn’t compare to 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 is back in top form in time for the postseason.

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

This was followed by a complete win in Oakland, in which Cole allowed just two hits and a walk.

“There have been some ups and downs this year and I tried to keep up 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 out there. It’s the best feeling. There’s a lot at stake.”

Cole held the playoff-bound Orioles hitless until Ramon Urias grounded a ball through the right side of the infield with two outs in the fifth.

When he was eliminated in the seventh, Cole had again given up two hits and walked just one as he singled against Baltimore ace Corbin Burnes.

Such performances weren’t as common earlier in the year, when Cole occasionally struggled with command issues and lacked his trademark dominance.

Before the game, Aaron Boone called this season “unique” for Cole “because of how consistent he’s been throughout his career.” He had to deal with the injury early on and process what it meant. The first few months he was out of his normal seasonal routine.”

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

Aside from the seven-run disaster against the Red Sox and Rafael Devers on September 14, Cole had a solid to excellent performance.

He left the field to a standing ovation in the Bronx, expecting similar performances in the playoffs.

“That’s what you want as a player: The division is within your grasp,” Cole said. “You have to go out there and get it.”

He accomplished this by making a pitch in the seventh inning even though the game was out of reach.

Cole said he did it with the playoffs in mind.

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

And he left an impressed impression of his manager.

“After losing two tough games and wanting to get this thing done, there was some pressure today,” Boone said. “His Yankee career was outstanding and he had several moments of truth and answered the bell.”

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

The ace of the staff didn’t hear it: “I’d still rather have over 200 innings at this point.”