Heading into the MLB playoffs, there’s every reason to expect we will see the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros in the World Series. That’s not to slight good teams like the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves, it just that the optics would seem to heavily favor the Dodgers and Astros.
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We are going to put our handicapping focus on the Houston Astros. The fact is the Yankees, Astros, Braves and Dodgers are loaded on offense. Under normal circumstances, we would expect to see a lot offense and lighting of the scoreboard. Interestingly enough, there’s a good chance the Astros hold a significant advantage on the mound.
In the past, there have been some really good pitching staffs that guided their teams to World Series titles. Who could ever forget the 1970 Baltimore Orioles who won the World Series behind the arms of three 20 game winners (Mike Cuellar - 24 wins, Dave McNally – 24 wins and Jim Palmer – 20 wins). In 1995, the Atlanta Braves dominated the World Series behind Hall of Fame pitchers Greg Maddox, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.
As good as those pitching staffs were, it’s hard to top what the Houston Astros’ Twin Towers accomplished this year. We are referencing Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander. It would be an understatement to say that both pitchers were simply dominated this year. A quick peak at their statistics is all that’s necessary to tell the story.
On the year, Cole had a record of 20-5 with an ERA of 2.50 and 326 Ks. Verlander finished the season with a record of 21-6 with, an ERA of 2.58 and 300 Ks. That’s pure dominance. It’s worth noting that Charlie Morton was part of the Astros’ pitching staff last year. All he did this year was finish with a record of 16-6, an ERA of 3.08 and 240 Ks for the Tampa Bay Rays. He’ll get the start in the AL wild card game as Astros fans ponder what could have been.
Clearly, the margin between Cole and Verlander is paper thin, something Cy Young voters will have to contemplate. What Astros opponents have to contemplate is the following: In a five-game series, one of these two pitchers will get the ball on three occasions. In a seven-game series, they will get the start in four of those contests. The truth is only the Dodgers can come close to matching up against Cole and Verlander on the mound. Then again, the concern every opponent needs to focus on is how do you score runs against pitchers who give up less than three runs a game and recorded 300 or more Ks on the season?
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