It will be Gerrit Cole and Logan Webb on Opening Day in the Bronx, as expected.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters Cole is being lined up to get the ball March 30. The Giants have already said Webb will be their starter for the season opener.
This will be Cole’s fourth consecutive Opening Day start for the Yankees. He’s had his struggles in the spot. But he has put together a strong spring so far. Cole has struck out 17 batters in 11 innings with a 0.82 WHIP and no walks.
MORE: Yankees fans nostalgically booed Joey Gallo at spring training
Let’s just hope Billy Crystal is not at Yankee Stadium in an official ceremonial capacity this time. A refresher:
Cole was caught on camera freaking out in the Yankees’ dugout before Friday’s thrilling extra-innings win over the Red Sox — a victory in spite of Cole — because actor Billy Crystal’s first pitch was taking longer than he wanted.
Cole then proceeded to get shellacked, giving up three first-inning runs on three loud hits — a two-run shot by Rafael Devers after a four-pitch walk to Enrique Hernandez, a stinging single by Xander Bogaerts off the lefty field wall and an RBI double by J.D. Martinez. It was eerily similar to his no-show outing against Boston in last season’s American League Wild Card loss at Fenway Park. And while Cole settled down after that, he couldn’t even get to the fifth inning before the Yankees bullpen took over, ultimately getting the no-decision.
Cole kept whining about his catastrophic inconveniencing when reporters asked about his outburst after the game.
“That was an unforeseen challenge,” he said. “The festivities got a little away from the schedule.”
First pitch was scheduled to be thrown at 1:08 p.m. It was actually delivered at 1:12 p.m.
So four minutes difference. Or 240 seconds. Either way, a bridge too far for a man who makes $36 million a year.
MORE ON ESNY:
• Mets’ Francisco Lindor sure looks primed for another huge season
• Former Yankees star Joe Pepitone dies at 82
• New Giants LB Bobby Okereke tried to take Daniel Jones’ head off
• Syracuse sports talk host fired for not being a fanboy
• The details of Daniel Jones’ Giants payday are telling
James Kratch can be reached at james.kratch@xlmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jameskratch.
