Hinch explains why Cole wasn't used in Game 7

The Houston Astros lost the 2019 World Series with one of the American League Cy Young front-runners stuck in the bullpen, and manager AJ Hinch is facing questions about why Gerrit Cole didn't come into Game 7.

"I wasn't going to pitch him unless we were going to win the World Series and have a lead," Hinch said. "He was going to help us win. He was available, and I felt it was a game that he was going to come in had we tied it or taken the lead. He was going to close the game in the ninth after I brought (Roberto) Osuna in had we kept the lead."

Of course, the bullpen sequencing didn't go as planned. Will Harris allowed a go-ahead two-run homer, Osuna allowed an additional run to score in the eighth, and Houston never retook the lead from the Washington Nationals.

Prior to Game 7, Hinch said Cole could be made available in a "limited capacity." However, the 29-year-old was on two days' rest after throwing 110 pitches during the winning effort in Game 5 and has never made a relief appearance in his career.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos expected Cole to enter the game, especially after the right-hander went to the bullpen to get ready.

"I thought he was going to have a chance to pitch tonight," Chirinos said, according to Alyson Footer of MLB.com. "He went down to the bullpen in the fifth inning and said, 'I'll see you later today.' I was waiting for him to come into the game. It was fun."

Cole, who's bound for free agency this winter, authored an AL-leading 2.50 ERA and 2.64 FIP over 33 starts this season. The three-time All-Star went 20-5 and led all of baseball in strikeouts with 326.