American League Cy Young: A candidate for every style
By Bill Felber
Gerrit Cole, Houston Astros
Old-school stats: 13-5, 2.86 ERA in 28 starts, 176 innings
New-school stats: 4.2 WAR, 3.0 Situational Wins Saved
The case for Cole: Cole is a compromise candidate. He doesn’t lead AL pitchers in any single category, but he’s top 10 in most. His 28 starts establishes his workhorse credentials, and his 1.026 WHIP is excellent for a starter. Old-schoolers will love this: Unlike many pitchers, Cole does not noticeably weaken as the game proceeds. From pitch 76 on, his batting average against is just .224. He also knows how to bear down in game-decisive situations. With two out and runners in scoring position, Cole’s batting average against is .158. If Cole gets into a two-strike count, the batting against him is an almost invisible .115.
The case against Cole: His aura of dominance has plainly eroded as the season has worn on. Cole was 10-2 with a 2.52 ERA at mid-season; he’s 3-3 with a 3.75 in the second half. Like many pitchers, he can be gotten to early in the count. On first pitches, or when the first pitch is a ball, opponents hit .299 against Cole with a slugging average above .600. Cole’s American League Cy Young candidacy may also be hurt by the fact that his teammate, Verlander, has made more starts and pitched more innings