Gerrit Cole Solidifying Top Spot in AL Cy Young Race

The New York Yankees have been a disappointment this season, but ace Gerrit Cole has been one of the few bright spots. 

Cole had another fantastic start on Tuesday, before the Yankees’ bullpen blew the game, as he went seven innings and allowed just two runs on three hits while striking out six batters. 

The start was the 13th time this season that Cole has allowed two or fewer runs, which is even more impressive when you consider that he’s only made 15 starts in 2021.

Right now, WynnBET has Cole as a heavy favorite to win the American League Cy Young award and for good reason. Cole has -170 odds to win the award while Carlos Rodon (+500) and Lance Lynn (+500) are the next closest contenders. 

With the injury to Tampa Bay Rays ace Tyler Glasnow (now +3000 to win the Cy Young), Cole has a comfortable lead on the field. 

This season, Cole has the second-highest WAR (wins above replacement) of any pitcher in baseball at 3.9 and he’s tied with Glasnow for second in the league with 123 strikeouts. 

With an 8-3 record and a 2.33 earned run average, Cole is proving he was worth every bit of the nine-year, $324 million contract New York gave him prior to the 2020 season. 

The Yankees’ offense has hurt them in 2021, as they’ve scored the fifth-fewest runs in all of baseball. New York is still 38-34, but the Yanks have seen their World Series odds tumble to +1500 after starting the season with the second-best odds to win the title at +500. 

If New York does make the playoffs, expect it to lean heavily on Cole to dominate opposing lineups and give New York the edge against the other top pitchers in the American League.