MLB Weekly Digest May 3rd Edition: Yankees Gerrit Cole Makes History

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The last week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League making history. A pitcher continues dominating the opposition, and a starting pitcher is placed on the injured list.

New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Gerrit Cole Makes History Facing Detroit Tigers

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole was terrific in his last outing against the Detroit Tigers and made history.

He fired six scoreless innings, striking out 12 batters, and did not surrender a walk.

This was the third consecutive start in which he struck out at least 10 batters and did not issue a walk.

He became the first Yankee pitcher to accomplish this feat, per Katie Sharp of Stathead.

Gerrit Cole is the first pitcher in Yankees history with 3 straight games of 10+ K and 0 walks

— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) May 1, 2021

Cole has started the 2021 season well, as he has posted a 1.43 ERA and 0.46 FIP with 62 strikeouts and three walks in six starts.

.@GerritCole45 this season: 62 Ks, 3 BB. 💪 pic.twitter.com/PRMq2TFfO0

— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2021

There have been three other instances in MLB history that a starting pitcher has struck out at least 10 batters and not allow a walk in three straight starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw did this in 2015 and 2016, Tampa Bay Rays Chris Archer was successful in 2015.

In the second season of a nine-year contract, Cole signed with the Yankees before the 2020 season, and it appears he will have a terrific year on the mound.

Cleveland Indians Starting Pitcher Shane Bieber Breaks Record Held by Randy Johnson

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber was fantastic in his last start facing the Chicago White Sox and set a new record in the outing.

Bieber struck out 11 batters in six innings, yielding three runs on seven hits.

This was his 18^th straight game in which he struck out at least eight batters, breaking a tie with Hall of Fame starting pitcher Randy Johnson who initially set the record in 1999-2000.

Dude is in a league of his own.#OurCLE pic.twitter.com/Nz2U2iltjZ

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 1, 2021

Bieber has made life very difficult for opposing teams as he has struck out 68 batters in six starts this season, including fanning at least 11 batters in five of those outings.

Shane Bieber's 11 strikeouts tonight give him 68 for the season, the most by any pitcher through the end of April in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/fttZedqc51

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 1, 2021

The right-handed pitcher won the American League Cy Young award last year as he led the league in several categories, including wins, ERA, ERA+, strikeouts, and FIP.

Bieber winning the award last year was proof he is one of the best starting pitchers in the AL, and he may win the award for a second straight year.

Toronto Blue Jays Place Starting Pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu on Injured List

The Toronto Blue Jays have placed starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu on the injured list with a right glute strain, per a team announcement.

ROSTER MOVES:

🔹 OF George Springer reinstated from 10-day IL and will make his Blue Jays debut

🔹 LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (right glute strain) placed on 10-day IL

🔹 1B/DH Rowdy Tellez optioned to Alternate Training Site

🔹 LHP Travis Bergen recalled from Alternate Training Site pic.twitter.com/08GbV9IDTD

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 28, 2021

Ryu was forced to leave his previous start against the Tampa Bay Rays due to the injury but was not expected to miss his next scheduled start.

The move to the injured list is retroactive to April 26, so he may be eligible to return on May 6 facing the Oakland Athletics, meaning he would miss just one start.

The Blue Jays are cautious with Ryu, which is logical as he one of the better pitchers in their starting rotation.

The left-hander has posted a 2.60 ERA in five starts (27 2/3 innings pitched) with 26 strikeouts, three walks allowed, three home runs surrendered, a 163 ERA+, and 2.95 FIP.

The team has started the 2021 season strong and will need Ryu healthy to contend for a playoff spot.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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