AJ Hinch Reveals He and Gerrit Cole Had 'Agreed Upon' Usage Rules Before Game 7

Houston Astros superstar Gerrit Cole could only stand idly by as Will Harris and Robert Osuna blew Houston's chance at their second World Series championship in three seasons. When the Astros took Zack Greinke out of the game, with the Washington Nationals still trailing 2-1, AJ Hinch opted for middle reliever Will Harris over Cole. Harris gave up a home run to Howie Kendrick, which gave the Nats a lead they would never surrender.

In a continued effort to make excuses for Cole's lack of entry into this contest, Hinch now claims (on Day 2) that he talked with Cole about his usage before the game, agreeing he wouldn't bring him into a game in the middle of an inning or if Houston was behind.

This was done for...apparently no reason at all. Cole is the best pitcher on this team, and there are few more high-leverage situations than a one-run game in the seventh inning of a World Series Game 7, no matter how many outs there are in an inning.

Cole, who was seen ducking an aggressive media after being left stewing in the bullpen, has already started to prepare a potential exit from Houston. His last moment in an Astros jersey could be him sitting on his hands in the bullpen while Hinch and Harris lost a series.

While the Nationals can soak in their deserved postseason glory, the Astros can only twiddle their thumbs and wonder what might have been if Cole had gotten a chance to play in Game 7.