Houston Astros: Has Gerrit Cole, and the rotation, peaked already?

OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 13, 2018, in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Houston Astros rotation accumulated some of best numbers anyone has seen throughout the first two months of the season. Gerrit Cole was arguably the biggest surprise, but will he return to that status the rest of the year?

Gerrit Cole took Houston Astros fans by surprise during his tremendous start to the season. He mystified hitters, piling up record-breaking strikeout numbers and looking like the team’s second ace – behind Justin Verlander of course.

But while his dominance wasn’t ephemeral, it might have been short-lived. And for a club hoping to secure its second-straight World Series title, Cole’s descent back to Earth might be an issue.

Monday night’s outing portrayed a more familiar picture to Pittsburgh fans. The right-hander allowed four runs in the first three innings, relinquishing two home runs in the process.

It was just the second time he didn’t qualify for a quality start. However, the first time Cole didn’t qualify came last week against Oakland. The All-Star surrendered two bombs in that game as well.

The Astros starter essentially began a new season after his eighth start of the year. In his first eight outings, the UCLA alum garnered a minute 1.43 ERA with an absurd 88 strikeouts and 12 walks. His WHIP was .74 overall.

Then the results changed.

Cole hasn’t been terrible since May 9, but he’s looked markedly different. His smallest errors during the early season – home runs – are more frequent. That was most evident in his previous two starts.

For the first time this season, he looked vulnerable in each one. Nevertheless, even with the “poor” outings, Houston’s newest starter ranks ? in the league in ERA.

Yet, the Astros didn’t acquire the 27-year-old to be stellar for just one stretch of the season. They need consistency from the former Pirates ace. And most importantly, they need him to pitch when it counts most – during October.

Nevertheless, the Astros starting pitching staff as a whole is inching its way back to reality.

The historical run is over?

Houston’s starting rotation had a case for the best start in MLB history.

However, that was during the first two months. June hasn’t been as kind to the starting five. And their numbers explain why.

Astros starters own a mediocre 4.21 ERA this month alone. Nevertheless, the team still posted a 13-4 records in its first 17 games, thanks for an offensive explosion.

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Still, the lackluster performances suggest the staff might have peaked too early, just like Cole.

Dallas Keuchel has a 6.35 ERA across three starts. Charlie Morton allowed six runs in one outing June 9. The veteran allowed just seven runs in all of April, all against teams in the top-14 in runs.

Fortunately for Houston, its key components in the relief corps posted great numbers so far. Hector Rondon has thrived as the team’s preferred ninth-inning specialist. Meanwhile, Brad Peacock and Chris Devenski combined for five holds since June 1.

And as was mentioned in an article last week, the schedule up until the All-Star break includes favorable matchups. None of the upcoming opponents have top-10 offenses.

If there is a time for the pitching staff to rebound after its summertime struggles thus far, this is the time. Justin Verlander kicked might have kicked off the beginning of another dominant stretch Tuesday, tossing six innings of one-run ball with 10 strikeouts.

Now the rest of the Astros’ staff can provide an encore as the month continues.

Next: Houston could look at these relievers at the deadline

Yet, even when the starting pitchers weren’t at their best, Houston still won games. The 12-game winning streak was a testament to that.

Thus, Houston Astros fans should be happy, even with the recent struggles on the mound.

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