DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: NL Central—Can Cole get on a roll?

Pittsburgh Pirates

The rotation run of 22-year-old Gerrit Cole (RHP, PIT) will continue, despite the recent return of Jeanmar Gómez (RHP, PIT). Gomez went five innings in his return from a forearm injury June 26 but now will reportedly pitch out of the bullpen. Some may decry that as an injustice, given Gomez’s surface stats, but his underlying skills justify the decision (xERA 4.13, BPV 36). Simply put, Gomez has not shown he is ready to be a sub-4.00 ERA in the major leagues, much less a sub-3.00 one. His Dom has inched up in 2013 as has his GB%, but his Cmd is still well below 2.0.

Cole, meanwhile, is 4-0, but only one of those starts was a PQS-DOM. As his 6.2 Dom at AAA-Indianapolis suggested, Cole may not be ready to make major...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Tomorrow

Keller? Kittredge? It's all about the K's in the late innings in Chicago.
Sep 13 2025 3:06am
Beck a bright spot in COL; Lawlar losing PT in ARI; Dodgers lineup gets healthy; key role for Vásquez in SD; rotation woes for SF
Sep 11 2025 3:05am
Richie Palacios is the latest player to don the first base mitt for Tampa Bay, but will his hold on playing time last?
Sep 10 2025 3:10am
The final PT Tomorrow NL East roundup of the 2025 season has some thoughts on winning today, tomorrow, and into the future. Plus: goings-on in PHI; question marks at NYM; Weathers' imminent return in MIA; SS & SP in ATL; OF & SP in WAS; more.
Sep 8 2025 3:07am
What does it mean at the end of games for MLB's best team?
Sep 6 2025 3:09am

Tools