What It Means:

This was another tough start for Cole, who has now allowed 18 runs -- 17 earned -- across his last 21 2/3 innings pitched, increasing his ERA on the season to 3.55. Cole only walked one batter on Wednesday, but allowed seven hits, one of which was a two-run tater to Evan Gattis. Things don't get any easier for Cole, as he faces the Chicago Cubs and their team .336 wOBA (third-best) this season in his next start.

Cole's xFIP jumped to 4.17 after Wednesday's performance, while his strikeout percentage fell slightly to 19.3 percent (league average is 21.0 percent). We don't project things to get much better over the rest of the year, forecasting Cole to post a 4.06 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.