NEW YORK – Gerrit Cole seems to have hit his stride, pumping the strike zone with command and efficiency. The Yankees ace is also closing in on a milestone, one he hadn’t even considered until a few weeks ago.
Cole notched his 160th career victory in his last start against the Orioles, a crisp effort that saw him throw 22 of 23 first-pitch strikes (95.7 percent) over six strong innings – the highest percentage he has ever recorded in any start.
As he prepares for his next assignment against the Astros, Cole will walk to the mound with the knowledge that no player selected first overall in the MLB Draft has won more games than Mike Moore (161). That could change on Thursday.
Informed of that fact by The Athletic’s Tyler Kepner, Cole called it “wild” – which is exactly what he hasn’t been, entering Thursday with a 7-6 record, 3.11 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 16 starts since returning from Tommy John surgery.
It has been months since the 35-year-old expressed any concern about how things might feel with his repaired ulnar collateral ligament; he has likened his mindset to having a fresh set of tires for the second half of a road race.
Cole has permitted two earned runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, dating back to July 28 against the White Sox. He has pitched to a 1.47 ERA (30 2/3 IP, 5 ER) over that span.
“We’re commanding the ball well and making good decisions, by and large,” he said.
This will mark Cole’s fifth career regular-season start against the Astros, whom he pitched in 2018-19. Cole is 1-2 with a 2.57 ERA in his previous four regular-season starts. He also faced Houston in Game 3 of the 2022 ALCS, taking a loss.