The Houston Astros entered the postseason as World Series favorites, and it looked like they were on their way to an easy series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays through two games. But after a 2-0 series lead, the Astros lost Games 3 and 4 to the Rays, forcing a win-or-go-home Game 5. Thankfully for Houston, they had Gerrit Cole on the mound, and that’s very bad news for any opposing offense in 2019.
Cole went eight innings, giving up just two hits, two walks, and one run, to go with 10 strikeouts in Houston’s 6-1 series-clinching win.
Gerrit Cole, 99mph on his 100th Pitch. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/REtsBmICw6
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 11, 2019
Gerrit Cole, Filthy 86mph Knuckle Curve. 😷
Most Dominant Pitcher on the Planet. 🌏 pic.twitter.com/vydzmufdug
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 11, 2019
.@GerritCole45 matches Mike Mussina for the 2nd-most Ks (25) in back-to-back #postseason games.
The only pitcher with more punchouts is Bob Gibson (27). pic.twitter.com/EgMbMaPWIc
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 11, 2019
The fireballer’s fantastic Game 5 performance comes after he threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts in Game 2. This isn’t just a recent thing, either. Cole entered the game with a 17-0 record and 1.69 ERA in his last 23 starts (this is an instance where W-L record *does* tell a fair story on the pitcher).
Gerrit Cole is 17-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his last 23 starts. The Astros have won his last 14 starts.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 10, 2019
Cole didn’t need much help, but he got four runs of support from the Astros’ offense vs Tampa Bay right-hander Tyler Glasnow in the first inning. And Michael Brantley and Jose Altuve really put things away with back-to-back homers in the eighth inning.
.@Astros aren't done adding on. #ALDS pic.twitter.com/hj0gWumty0
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2019
.@JoseAltuve27 stands alone at the top.
With his 11th #postseason HR, he passes Chase Utley for the most by a 2B. pic.twitter.com/VBCMu2Gr6Z
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 11, 2019
The Astros advance to what should be a thrilling ALCS against the New York Yankees. FanGraphs gives Houston a whopping 65.4% chance to win the series, while Five Thirty Eight has the Astros as 54% ALCS favorites.
The ALCS begins on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park, and the winner of the seven-game series will take on either the St. Louis Cardinals or Washington Nationals in the World Series.
