Coming off a top-five Cy Young Award finish in 2018 and entering his final year before free agency, big things are expected of Astros co-ace Gerrit Cole. While he in many ways looks like himself, his ERA sits nearly a run higher than last year’s, largely thanks to an inflated home run total.
Cole has been bit by the long ball 15 times in 14 starts this year, compared to 19 times total in 32 starts last year. He’s had a couple of particularly rough outings so far this year.