Gerrit Cole finds it “difficult” to have expectations regarding the pitch count of the Subway Series

Gerrit Cole received an immediate gut decision after returning from the 60-day injured list last Wednesday by playing against division rival Orioles.

The adrenaline level doesn’t let up even at start number 2.

Cole will be back on the mound at Citi Field on Tuesday when the Yankees and Mets meet again in the first Subway Series duel of the season.

“The atmosphere was very lively at the last game, so I probably expect the same,” Cole, who pitched against the Mets in Queens last season, said Sunday.

The reigning AL Cy Young winner thrives on competition, but the schedule hasn’t exactly allowed Cole to get back into the swing of things after missing the first two and a half months of the season with nerve inflammation and edema in his elbow.

Of course, the Yankees were well aware of the schedule and still decided to bring Cole back before he was fully built up, even if he now has to temper his expectations because he does not yet have his full quota of pitches available.

“I think I’m just trying to build it up even more,” Cole said. “I’m kind of in the middle of it. I’m just continuing to build up. I’m not really trying to do much differently. I’m obviously going to try to pick throws that I think are going to be successful and try to get as many competitive outs as I can. But I’m still — it’s not all built up yet, so it’s hard to have any expectations.”

Having lost seven of their last 10 games – and three straight series – through Tuesday, the Yankees could use a top-form performance from Cole to set the tone against the Mets, even if his opportunities will continue to be limited.

Cole had thrown 70 pitches in his third and final rehab outing, but the Yankees limited him to 65 in his return against the Orioles (he finished with 62) to accommodate the adrenaline rush that comes with pitching in the major leagues.

Against the Mets on Tuesday, Cole is expected to throw about 75 pitches.

Cole got stronger as the game went on in his season debut against the Orioles, but allowed two runs in four innings.

All five of his strikeouts came in a seven-batter stretch that took him through the fourth inning before he allowed a leadoff single in the fifth inning that marked the end of his day.

The right-hander hit well on all five of his pitches and led with his four-seam fastball, which averaged 95 mph — down from the 96.7 mph he averaged last season, although he peaked at 97.5 mph on Wednesday, showing the velocity is still there.

More importantly, Cole was pleased with his composure in his first start since returning.

“There’s going to be a little back and forth in that regard – building up and not having expectations, but getting the throws in the areas we want to give ourselves a good chance of preventing runs,” he said.

Tuesday was originally supposed to be a showdown between Cole and former rotation mate Luis Severino, but the Mets spoiled that by sending Severino up front for Sunday’s win over the Cubs, where he lowered his ERA to 3.29.

Cole, who has considered Severino a fixture in the Yankees’ locker room over the past few years even when injuries have hampered his performance, was simply happy to see his former teammate healthy and pitching well.

“I just want the best for Luis,” Cole said. “It’s nice to see him back as a pitcher. It’s a lot of hard work and it’s nice to see it pay off for the guys.”

This is Cole’s third time participating in the Subway Series.

The Mets asked a lot of him at Yankee Stadium in 2021 before Cole threw six innings with one run against them at Citi Field last season.

“When you look at the field, there’s a certain respect – similar markets, similar city,” Cole said. “And then they’re obviously good and the vibe is good.”