Houston Astros: Is it time start worrying about Gerrit Cole?
By Kyle Cardoza
Gerrit Cole was arguably the best Major League pitcher during the first month of the season. But the Astros pitcher is in the midst of his first rough patch. That doesn’t mean he won’t rebound during the second half.
It seemed too good to be true. When Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole compiled double-digit whiffs start after start, he seems on the brink of stardom.
But since mid-May, the starting pitcher has been borderline mediocre. The right-hander owns a 3.90 ERA since May 15. Despite that, he still remains an impressive 9-2 on the season – thanks to offensive support.
Nevertheless, Cole has been the second-worst starter on the team in the span. Although, Houston’s rotation as a whole has trended downward during that stretch.
Astros starters since May 15:
Justin Verlander – 3.05 ERA
McCullers – 3.47 ERA
Morton – 3.02 ERA
Keuchel – 5.26 ERA
The newest addition to the club arguably made the biggest impression to start the year. Cole racked up 61 strikeouts in April alone, compiling double-digit punch outs in four of six starts. Prior to this year, he notched just six outings with 10 or more whiffs.
Nonetheless, since his 16-strikeout performance to start May, the UCLA alumnus hasn’t been as dominant. At least, opposing hitters have made more contact.
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And one reason Cole’s ERA boosted a considerable amount during that stretch is because of the long ball. The 27-year-old surrendered just three home runs across his first eight starts. Yet, hitters slapped four in the three starts between May 15 and May 27.
Now he’s up to 14 homers allowed. But 11 of them came during his last 55 innings pitched. Moreover, his WHIP in that span is 1.29.
However, Cole can turn his season back around. Although, he hasn’t had a general trend in first- and second-half splits across his career.
Maybe Houston’s second ace can continue his dominant season as the second half resumes.
Is Cole among the league’s elite pitchers?
Surely, Astros fans believed the team’s newest acquisition was one of the league’s best pitchers in the first month of the year. And they were right.
Cole and Trevor Bauer were the only two pitchers in the MLB that pitched more than 40 innings across April. Also, the Houston starter owned a ridiculous .73 WHIP in that span.
Even amongst pitchers with 20 or more innings pitched in the opening month, Cole tied for sixth in that category as well. Furthermore, he racked up an immense 61 whiffs, 14 more than second-ranked Max Scherzer.
However, the Astros pitcher now lost his entrance in the premier club. Though his numbers are still superb, they do not match those of Chris Sale and Scherzer.
Yet, Cole doesn’t seem far off from the elite class. Hitters are still batting worse than .200 against the up-and-comer. His opponents sport a .587 OPS, higher than just eight other pitchers in the league.
Being that the Houston newcomer ranks in the top 10 in a majority of categories, he’s making progress. But he will have to piece a few seasons of dominance together to be placed amongst the league’s best.
Next: Is Hector Rondon Houston's long-time closer?
The Astros already have one guy that’s currently in the crew in Justin Verlander. Maybe they will have two – possibly three with Charlie Morton – by this time next season.
They each essentially control their own destinies.