The top 10 greatest short-lived duos in MLB history

World Series co-MVPs Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Randy Johnson (L) and Curt Schilling hold their MVP trophy during post-game ceremonies after the Diamondbacks' win of Game 7 of the World Series in Phoenix 04 November 2001. The Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 3-2, winning the series four games to three to become the world champions. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros is congratulated by teammates after the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park on September 8, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Short-lived MLB duo No. 5: Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander — 2018–2019 Houston Astros

Fortunately for American League lineups, Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander only spent two seasons together. But over those two years, they dominated like few other pitching duos ever have in baseball history.

2018 was a strong year for both pitchers as they placed in the top five in the season’s AL Cy Young vote. Both rounded out in the AL top five in ERA, ERA+, strikeouts and innings pitched.

Their 2019 season turned out to be even more dominant, on a historic level. Cole finished the season leading the league in ERA (2.50), strikeouts (326), ERA+ (185) and xFIP (2.48). Verlander topped the league in innings pitched (223.0) and WHIP (0.803) while also recording a career-high 300 strikeouts. Both players had several standout performances, such as Cole’s streak of nine straight games with 10+ strikeouts and Verlander’s no-hitter against the Blue Jays.

Verlander and Cole finished one and two respectively in the season’s AL Cy Young award voting. They became the first duo of AL pitchers ever to finish in the top two for the award.

Both also became the first pair of teammates to record at least 300 strikeouts in a season, joining Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2002. They also became just the second duo of pitchers in the live-ball era to record an ERA+ of under 175 (minimum 200 innings pitched), joining Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte in 2005.

Houston was certainly fortunate to have two of the best power pitchers in the game on the same team, even if it was for just two seasons.

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