TORONTO — Gerrit Cole accomplished a lot in his first decade in the major leagues, but a Cy Young Award and a World Series were missing from his resume this season.
The Yankees haven’t been good enough around Cole to chase a championship, but the ace all but guaranteed himself a spot in the American League on Wednesday night with his 33rd and final start of the season.
The right-hander will likely have a lock on the award before he steps on the mound on Wednesday, but just in case he needs a closing argument, he made a convincing one.
Cole had his second shutout of the season, a two-hit gem in a 6-0 victory over the Blue Jays at Rogers Center.
Cole suffocated the Blue Jays (87-71) as they tried to clinch a playoff spot.
He lowered his ERA to 2.63 and finished the season with 209 innings — both American League bests.
Cole struck out five and allowed no bases in 105 pitches. In five starts in September, he walked just three batters and allowed just four runs in 35 innings.
Aaron Judge has provided plenty of run support for the Yankees’ mainstay, hitting two two-run homers and hitting 37 home runs in 103 games this season.
In the process, the Yankees (81-77) ensured they wouldn’t suffer their first losing season since 1992.
