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Houston Astros: Cole and Verlander notch strikeout milestone

By Kyle Cardoza

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 19: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 19, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Astros defeated the Athletics 9-4. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 19: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 19, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Astros defeated the Athletics 9-4. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 02: Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers the pitch in the second inning of a baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels on September 02, 2018, at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX.. (Photo by Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander are two reasons why the Houston Astros lead the American League West. And they matched a surprising statistic fans haven’t seen since 2003.

The Houston Astros didn’t develop their two best starting pitchers in the farm system. Instead, they acquired them via trade, then let pitching coach Brent Strom work with them.

Both Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole displayed their dominance on the mound. And together, they have accomplished a feat that hasn’t been achieved since 2003.

Each of the Houston starters have more than 240 strikeouts this year. The last two teammates to eclipse that mark were Kerry Wood and Mark Prior in 2003 for the Chicago Cubs.

Whether Cole and Verlander are legitimate American League Cy Young contenders is questionable. Chris Sale and Blake Snell both boast ridiculous numbers this season.

Nevertheless, both Astros pitchers are essential pieces for the reigning World Series champions. Houston is the only team in the MLB with two pitchers ranked in the top 10 in ERA and WHIP. Charlie Morton also ranks in the top 15 in ERA.

Multiple other teams possess at least two starters in the top 20 in those categories, including the Diamondbacks and the Mets – surprised? But the two Astros players own more complete statistics and higher strikeout rates.

It might be surprising for baseball fans to see the two high among the ranks. That’s because Verlander is considered to be past his prime and Cole boasted mediocre career numbers prior to this season.   

What a change of scenery can do for a player.

Yet, baseball fans can decide for themselves whether the pair of pitchers are more entertaining to watch than Wood and Prior were in their glory days. The former Chicago starters were All-Stars and posted insane numbers in 2003.

However, there is an argument to be made that this feat is not as impressive today because of the recent uptick in strikeouts. Nevertheless, the accomplishment deserves some recognition.

Whether the Astros pitchers are deemed better than their counterparts is up to baseball fans. Each side poses a solid argument.

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