HOUSTON — Pure superstar strikeout power from Gerrit Cole.

The stuff of legends. You can’t beat it.

The Rays could not Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

There it was for all to see, the stunning pitching genius from Cy Young-candidate Cole and one big swing from MVP candidate Alex Bregman.

That was enough to pace the Astros to a thrilling 3-1 win over the Rays and a commanding 2-0 lead in the ALDS as the Astros matched the Yankees in the pursuit to come away with a Division Series sweep, which would set up an epic AL Championship Series.

The Rays did not come close to touching Cole, who led the majors with a franchise-record 326 strikeouts this season.

Saturday night he piled up 15 strikeouts over 7 ²/₃ innings. It marked the second time in MLB postseason history a pitcher compiled 15 or more strikeouts with only one walk, the other was Cardinals legend Bob Gibson, who struck out 17 and walked one in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series against the Tigers.

Cole threw a career-high 118 pitches, 83 for strikes, as he allowed four hits, walked that one batter and did not allow a run. He is setting himself up for a record-breaking free-agent contract this winter. Blank check, please.

“He’s got the best stuff in baseball,’’ Bregman said.

Justin Verlander threw seven shutout, one-hit innings in the Astros’ 6-2 Game 1 victory Friday and Cole outdid Verlander with a confidence-destroying fastball mixed with a slider and no-chance knuckle curve.

When Cole left the mound in the eighth, the frenzied towel-waving sellout crowd roared, giving him a standing ovation as Cole saluted the fans with a wave of his glove.

Pure and simple, the K-Machine. His 94th and his 116th pitches were 100 mph.

In this age where starters are praised if they make it through five innings, he was asked how can he produce such velocity so late in the game?

He answered, “God … seriously, I’ve been doing it for a long time. I’ve been doing it since I I’ve been 17. I don’t know what to say. It’s a blessing. I just do it. I did it all night. It’s just my fastball. I just throw it.’’

Noted A.J. Hinch of Cole’s inspiring performance, “That’s an easy one to brag about because he was incredible. He had complete command of the entire game. He lasted very deep into the game. He was strong at the end. He got punch-outs on virtually every pitch. Different areas of the strike zone. He was creative.’’

The right-hander produced 21 double-digit strikeout games this season, which led the majors and was a club record as he won 16 straight to end the season.

Cole became just the fourth pitcher in MLB history to have 21 double-digit strikeout games joining Koufax, Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.

That is the best of the best HOF class.

To get to 21 double-digit strikeout games he accomplished the feat in each of his last nine outings, another major league record. After Saturday’s masterpiece, that number is up to 10 straight.

He saved his best for October.

Bregman got the Astros on the board when he turned around a 3-2, 98-mph fastball from reigning Cy Young-winner Blake Snell to lead off the fourth, jettisoning the pitch into the Crawford Boxes.

Big Game should be Bregman’s nickname. His playoff home runs have come against Chris Sale (2) Trevor Bauer, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Kenley Jansen and now Snell.

After he hit the fastball he looked directly into the Astros dugout and flipped his bat high into the air. That gave Cole room to breathe, and then in the seventh the Astros added a vital second run on catcher Martin Maldonado’s RBI single to center.

One run with Cole on the mound is like five with any other pitcher. Two runs and it is time to pack up and go home. A vicious fastball and an 85-mph knuckle curve and you have October greatness, just like Verlander.

Bregman said the two starters are built for October.

“We got a lot,’’ he said of October Astros. “I want to say everybody.’’

K-King Cole is just that, and he showed on Saturday night he is the ultimate starting pitching weapon.