Gerrit Cole Favored To Win The American League Cy Young Award

Gerrit Cole Favored To Win The American League Cy Young Award

The New York Yankees made a big splash in the offseason by signing former Houston Astros ace right-hander Gerrit Cole to a nine-year, $324 million contract. Is Cole rightly favored to win the American League Cy Young award.

The Yankees made a very smart decision because there are no pitchers like Gerrit Cole in free agency for the next few years.

Now the Yankees finally have a legitimate ace in their starting rotation:

Games with at least 14 strikeouts and no walks allowed:

Gerrit Cole last season – 3

Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Sandy Koufax, & Bob Gibson careers combined – 3

Cole also set an Astros record by winning his last 16 regular season decisions and he led the American League with a career-best 2.50 ERA. His career-high 326 strikeouts were the most in the majors and set an Astros franchise record (J.R. Richard had 313 strikeouts in 1979).

He only had one loss since May 22… Game 1 of the World Series against the Nationals but he did get back on track in Game 5 of the World Series and went 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 36 2/3 innings over five postseason starts.

Gerrit Cole grew up a Yankees fan but he dominated them in New York and beat them in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, throwing seven scoreless innings of four-hit ball with seven strikeouts.

Odds To Win The American League Cy Young Award

Gerrit Cole +400

Justin Verlander +450

Lucas Giolito +1000

Shane Bieber +1000

Mike Clevinger +1400

Blake Snell +1600

Charlie Morto +1600

James Paxton +1600

Jose Berrios +1600

Tyler Glasnow +1600

Zack Greinke +1600