Gerrit Cole allowed two runs over six innings in a win over the Cubs on Tuesday. Is that it? One start after striking out a career-high 12 batters, Cole fanned "just" six over six innings on Tuesday. It was impressively Cole's eighth straight quality start, as he now owns a 10-7 record and 3.22 ERA over 19 starts. And while the Pirates only play four more games this year, the possibility is there that Cole could start the season finale at the Reds if the Bucs have something to play for in the last game. Keep an eye on the right-hander's status heading into Sunday's game.

Gerrit Cole tossed six innings of one-run ball and struck out a career-high 12 batters in a win over the Padres on Thursday. Cole held the Padres to just four hits while walking three. The rookie right-hander didn't miss many bats early on after coming up from the minors, but he has struck out 65 batters in 62 2/3 innings over his last 10 starts. He'll take a 3.23 ERA into his final regular season start against the Cubs next week and figures to be a popular breakout candidate in mixed leagues next year.

Gerrit Cole delivered another dominant performance in Saturday's victory over the Cubs, allowing just one run on five hits over his seven frames. The young right-hander punched out seven on the night while issuing three free passes. The only damage against him came on an RBI double by Nate Schierholtz in the first inning. He appears to be getting stronger as the season progresses, as he's allowed just one run over his last two starts while posting a 16/5 K/BB ratio in 14 innings. He'll look to extend his personal winning streak to three when he squares off against the Padres at home on Thursday.

Gerrit Cole is expected to be used in the Pirates bullpen during the postseason. Pirates skipper Clint Hurdle did leave the window open for change though, noting that if he continued to pitch as well as Monday's victory over the Rangers that the situation could be revisited. He's been just another in a tremendous crop of National League rookies this season, posting a 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 75/21 K/BB ratio over his 98 1/3 innings of work

Gerrit Cole struck out a career-high nine batters over seven shutout innings in a brilliant road victory against the Rangers on Monday. Ladies and gentleman, the real Gerrit Cole just stood up. The No. 1 pick in 2011 quietly excelled in the minor leagues, but never put up great strikeout numbers despite possessing two pitches that graded out amongst the best in the minors (fastball and slider) and a third (changeup) that projects as an above-average offering. He's generally chosen to be a pitch-to-contact hurler despite possessing the hammer of Thor for a right arm. Until tonight, that is. Cole improved to 7-7 with a 3.48 ERA.

Gerrit Cole allowed two runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Brewers on Tuesday. Save for a two-run single off the bat of Jonathan Lucroy, Cole was otherwise very good over his six innings of work. The big righty allowed just five hits and a walk while fanning five in the start. He's now turned in four straight quality starts, lowering his ERA to 3.74. Next up on the docket is a tough interleague tilt with the Rangers at Arlington on Monday.

Pirates GM Neil Huntington confirmed Sunday that Gerrit Cole will indeed make his next scheduled start on Tuesday against the Brewers. The Pirates have tried to give Cole extra rest in between starts to preserve his arm, but it appears to have negatively affected him. The rookie right-hander owns a 6-7 record, 3.80 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 61/18 K/BB ratio through 85 1/3 innings on the season.

Gerrit Cole pitched 7 1/3 innings and allowed four runs -- three earned -- Thursday in a loss to the Brewers. The Pirates are trying to preserve Cole by giving him extra time off between starts, but it's possible he's less sharp because of it. He was pitching on seven days' rest tonight, and while he did turn in his longest start to date, he gave up his first homer in three starts and struck out just four.

Gerrit Cole has had his start pushed back to Thursday of next week. Cole was originally scheduled to start on Tuesday against the Brewers, but he'll be afforded a few extra days of rest instead. Jeff Locke and Charlie Morton will move ahead of him in the rotation starting on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

Gerrit Cole yielded just two runs despite giving up a career-high 10 hits in Wednesday's loss to the Padres. Cole struck out five and didn't walk anyone, but he left his fastball up too often, leading to a lot of singles. Still, it's the 12th time in 13 starts this season that he's allowed three or fewer runs. He'll take a solid 3.81 ERA and 1.18 WHIP into next week's home start versus the Brewers.