CINCINNATI -- Gerrit Cole made it clear Tuesday afternoon: His focus is on each game he pitches, no matter when he's asked to take the mound. That "small picture," as he put it, is his job.
But the Pirates had the bigger picture in mind in several ways when they chose to skip Cole's next scheduled start, as manager Clint Hurdle announced Monday at Great American Ball Park. Even as good as the All-Star right-hander feels, Cole understood the logic behind the decision.
"I think it's an opportunity to reset," Cole said Tuesday. "I feel great right now.