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Hinch: Cole could be available in 'limited capacity' for Game 7

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Three days after throwing 110 pitches in the Houston Astros' Game 5 victory, Gerrit Cole could be made available out of the bullpen in Wednesday's winner-take-all.

"It would be in a limited capacity if I ask him to do anything," Astros manager AJ Hinch told reporters prior to Game 7, according to Jake Kaplan of The Athletic.

Meanwhile, Game 6 starter Justin Verlander will almost certainly not be available as Hinch said he doesn't "see a situation that would make any sense."

After starting Game 6 of the 2017 World Series, Verlander did warm up in the bullpen during Game 7 but did not end up entering the game.

If used, Cole would be making an appearance on two days' rest. The right-hander is 1-1 in the World Series, going seven innings in each of his contests. The pending free agent allowed five runs on eight hits in the Game 1 loss, but bounced back with a strong outing for Game 5, allowing one run on three hits while striking out nine.

In five starts this postseason, Cole has never pitched on fewer than four days' rest. Over 36 2/3 innings, the ace has authored a 1.72 ERA, averaging 110 pitches in each start.

Cole has never made an appearance in his career on fewer than four days' rest and has never made a relief appearance.

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