The New York Yankees’ 2022 season has been full of records and impressive achievements.
Most of them have come from the same man, Aaron Judge, who just set the single-season record for most home runs in franchise history and in the American League with 62.
However, ace Gerrit Cole is also the owner of an impressive mark: last night, he broke Ron Guidry‘s old record of 248 strikeouts, the most over a single campaign in Yankees history until Tuesday.
He will finish the regular season with 257, and it’s a very high bar to clear for Yankees starters in the future.
No team in the history of the game has had a hitter with that many home runs and a pitcher with that many strikeouts in a single campaign.
“The @Yankees are the first team in MLB history to have a batter with 60+ home runs (Aaron Judge) and a pitcher with 250+ strikeouts (Gerrit Cole) in the same season,” OptaSTATS tweeted.
The @Yankees are the first team in MLB history to have a batter with 60+ home runs (Aaron Judge) and a pitcher with 250+ strikeouts (Gerrit Cole) in the same season.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 5, 2022
The Yankees Have Two Stars To Lead Their Rotation And Lineup
Strikeouts are often tied with excellent performance when you are a pitcher, and in this case, it’s true: Cole has a 3.50 ERA in 200.2 frames.
The Yankees will enter the postseason knowing that they have an ace and an explosive, game-changing hitter in their lineup.
Both players are rare assets who could take over a game and change the course of a series.
The Yankees are lucky to have both on their roster.
As things stand right now, Cole is likely to be the starter for Game 1 of the Division Series next Tuesday, against the winner of the Tampa Bay Rays – Cleveland Guardians Wild Card matchup.
Judge, of course, will be there, ready to pounce and do some damage.
NEXT: Aaron Judge Is A Fan Favorite Wherever He Goes
