One night after the Rays “got Verlander’d,” Gerrit Cole stepped up and dominated even more. The Astros co-ace set a new franchise record for a postseason game with 15 strikeouts in 7.2 scoreless innings as they defeated Tampa Bay 3-1 to take a 2-0 lead in the ALDS.
Cole was as good as any pitcher can be, not allowing a runner to reach second base until the eighth inning. He kept hitters off balance with his fastball and his breaking pitches, unleashing his full arsenal on the helpless Rays lineup.