Houston Astros: Gerrit Cole is leading the American League in this stat

Houston Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole continues to dominate out on the mound and has led the AL in this stat since earlier this season. What’s going on?

Houston Astros fans — it goes without saying that this team is primed for another World Series run, especially with the blockbuster trade that brought Zack Greinke, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini to the team.

It’s also helpful that they were able to bring back catcher Martin Maldonado back to the fold, who was in a hitting slump. He just crushed his first homer with the Houston Astros since rejoining this week so it looks like all will be well in his corner.

With a 76-40 record, the Houston Astros are in a virtual dead heat with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees for the best record in the majors. Their current seven-game win streak has catapulted them to a 10-game lead in the AL West and it looks like August will be an eventful month for the team.

That wasn’t necessarily the case back in 2018 as the team was dealing with a ton of injuries but it was September when things started to round out again and they were to take on the postseason.

I expect both August, September — hopefully October — to be eventful for the Houston Astros this time around and hopefully it ends with this team celebrated at the center of a diamond hoisting up yet another trophy.

We’ll see about that!

Anyway, back to the reason why I wrote this piece. As you probably know, Gerrit Cole is a pretty damn good pitcher. That’s stating the obvious. He continues to crush his competition each time he’s out on the bump and his momentum is something to admire for this season!

Now try this on for size — Cole currently has the best ERA in the AL (2.32) since April 26. The company that follows him is Mike Fiers (2.42), Charlie Morton (2.63), Justin Verlander (2.71) and Wade Miley (2.91).

Wow! And it’s not too surprising that the other two of the Houston Astros‘ top three starters in the rotation are on the list. All of these pitchers were members of the Houston Astros at some point and it’s great to see them excel.

Think about Morton — this man was ready to retire and this franchise helped him revive his career to extend it longer than he had envisioned. He’s doing well with the Tampa Bay Rays and I’m positive he’ll never forget the positive experiences he had here.

Fiers has consistently been able to find work despite his struggles at times and can be a reliable starter for any given team.

It goes to show how good this staff is on the Houston Astros and Brent Strom‘s prowess as a

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teacher. This man is resurrecting careers and I certainly hope that this team is paying him well because he deserves every cent.

Aaron Sanchez, who has struggled mightily this season before being traded, pitched six innings of a combined no-hitter just one week ago. It’s absolutely amazing.

There’s no question these guys are talented in their own right but it takes a great coach to help reach their full potential and that’s exactly what Strom is doing!

Nonetheless, Cole leads the AL in strikeouts (226), he’s 2nd in WHIP (0.98) and third in ERA (2.87). Lest we not forget that just had AL Pitcher of the Month honors bestowed upon him recently!

Next. Alex Bregman was on the block during the World Series season. dark

These comprise of all of the ingredients to an All-Star — possibly Cy Young-worthy — season so let’s hope for the best!

Cole has posted a 14-5 record, a 2.87 ERA while tossing 226 strikeouts to 50 earned runs with a 3.11 FIP, a 13.0 K/9 through 156.2 innings pitched in 25 starts this season.

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