Gerrit Cole continues to look like a No. 1 overall pick just at the right time, setting a career high in strikeouts with 12 this afternoon vs the San Diego Padres. Cole allowed 4 hits and 1 run, while striking out 12 and walking 3 in a Pirates rout this afternoon against the Padres. Cole has 28 strikeouts in his last 20 innings pitched and a huge difference for Cole has been his curve ball over his last handful of starts.