Gerrit Cole odds-on favorite to win AL Cy Young Award

Could Gerrit Cole finally be closing in on his first Cy Young Award? Bookmakers certainly seem to think so. The Houston Astros hurler is now the odds-on favorite to win the American League Cy Young at -130 with just over a month remaining in the 2019 season. That's a huge leap from three weeks ago, when the 28 year-old was firmly behind Houston teammate Justin Verlander at +140.

2019 Cy Young Odds

Cole has been making hitters look silly

Cole has been so hot lately, it might be time to start measuring his performance on the Scoville scale. The three-time All-Star has won all three of his starts this month and racked up 22 strikeouts over his last two outings. Cole was especially dominant against the Detroit Tigers on August 22, when he scattered just two hits and punched out 12. It's the kind of start that has become almost commonplace for the Newport Beach, California native, who has now recorded 10 strikeouts or more 14 times this season.

Cole doesn't lead the American League in strikeouts just yet—that honor still belongs to Verlander—but he is first in ERA and ERA+ and ranks in the top five in strikeouts, wins and WHIP.

There's really no mystery about how Cole is doing it. He simply throws harder than 99% of mankind. His four-seam fastball regularly hits triple digits on the radar gun, and he has found increasing success this season with his slider, which clocks in at 89 mph. Even his knuckle curve, a pitch that typically is slower than molasses going uphill, cruises in at 85 mph.

It's one thing to throw hard, but Cole also throws with precision. His 2.2 walks per nine innings rate is the lowest it's been since 2013, and his 37.3 strikeout percentage represents a career high.

Verlander has looked mortal

Verlander hasn't exactly struggled in August, but he has failed to keep pace with Cole. The former Cy Young winner is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA this month and has had at least two starts he'd probably liked to forget. Verlander gave up four runs in just five innings against the woebegone Baltimore Orioles on August 11 and found himself on the wrong side of history August 21, when he surrendered two home runs to the Tigers, which allowed Detroit to overcome staggering +435 odds to pull off the upset.

This race is far from over

If the last month has taught us anything, it's that much can change over the course of three or four weeks. Cole may be the favorite to win the AL Cy Young award now, but Verlander could supplant him with multiple shutouts or a pair of strong outings.

Enjoy watching these two aces as they continue to bring excitement—and heat—to the dog days of summer.

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