Gerrit Cole faced off against Miguel Cabrera in a thoughtful, cat-and-mouse at-bat that was more about pitch sequencing and body language than action. Higashioka, behind the plate, started by calling for an inside fastball, but Cole missed the spot and threw it outside. The pitch may have clipped the corner, but the ump didn’t call it a strike. After an awkward exchange with the ball bouncing to the backstop and another one hitting the dirt, Cole reset and tried a curveball. He yanked it badly. Then he went to a changeup, which Cabrera fouled off, leading Cole to bring back the fastball. This one was center-cut at 98, and Cabrera nodded in respect after fouling it back.
As the count moved to 2-2, Cole and Higashioka debated pitches. The catcher threw down signs, trying to match Cole’s mindset. They locked in on a slider. Cole missed badly and the count ran full. On 3-2, with Cabrera expecting a heater, Cole went off-speed again and rolled a changeup over the plate. Cabrera didn’t offer, possibly frozen by the unexpected choice. The at-bat ended without fireworks, but it was a tight battle between two veterans. Cole won the mental game and earned Cabrera’s respect with the final pitch.