New York Yankees Early Success Built by Historic Pitching Despite Missing Ace Gerrit Cole

The American League is on notice.

The New York Yankees have raced out to an astounding 33-16 record for the fourth time in franchise history.

Despite the buzz around the Yankees' star-studded batting lineup, it was their pitching prowess that took everyone by surprise, leading them to an unexpected dominance.

Elite Pitching

The Yankees pitching is why they've been so formidable through the beginning part of the season, having the best pitching crew in the MLB based on their combined ERA of 2.86.

New York was on a tear throughout their seven-game winning streak before losing to the Seattle Mariners yesterday.

The kicker is that the Yankees have been able to do it all without their Ace, Gerrit Cole, who is sidelined with an elbow injury.

Marcus Stroman, Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt, and Carlos Rodon have all been electric for the Yankees to this point.

So far, the Yankees' major offseason signing in Stroman has been highly effective for them this season being the catalyst behind their elite pitching.

Cortes and Rodon, former All-Stars in their own right, have also played a significant role in the Yankees' pitching success this season.

Yankees star Aaron Judge is even in awe of New York's lethal hurling.

"It's been incredible to watch them do their thing; each one of them is trying to outdo the other," he said.

Gerrit Cole Return

The question for fans of the Bronx Bombers is whether this high level of pitching is sustainable.

The Yankees are still without Gerrit Cole, whose injury has kept him out since opening day.

Reports revealed that the 33-year old Ace has taken significant steps in returning according to the New York Post.

However, Cole is still relatively far from a return, but there are promising signs that the Yankees pitching core can hold up until he is fully healthy.

New York is deep and has great chemistry, both of which have played a major role in the Yankees successful season so far.

"We all just genuinely like each other," said Stroman, who has enthusiastically welcomed Clarke, Schmidt, and Luis Gil back to the dugout after starts just as Cole welcomed him.

"We all just genuinely vibe together. It's not like sometimes on different staffs, you're kind of forced to be with those people around you."

"I think we all just love each other here throughout the clubhouse. So it's very easy, the flow of knowledge, the flow of information with how much everyone's cool with each other. It just feels like a very, very tight-knit group. It feels like home in this clubhouse. I think everybody feels the same way," he added.