If Thursday’s game is any indication, then Gerrit Cole is more than ready for the start of the season. The New York Yankees’ ace was on the mound for three innings and allowed three hits and just one run, with no walks and five strikeouts.
The Yankees love the fact that he could reach 50 pitches, with still a lot of spring training left to stretch out to 85-90. He got an impressive 10 swings and misses out of those 50 bullets, and sat in the high-90s with his heater. He is all systems go.
Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone said it was another good step for Cole, who was scratched from his last start because rain was threatening on March 6th.
“It’s just making sure his stuff is resembling what it should,†Boone said. “It really comes down to him building up his workload and then you can evaluate how his balls move, if everything’s doing what it should be doing, how his delivery and arm slot is. The biggest thing is getting through his workload comfortably.â€
Papa Cole wants to see the Yankees
Cole, who is entering his second season as the Yankees’ ace, grew up a Bombers’ fan thanks to his dad and can’t wait for the home opener to take place.
His father was a huge fan of Willie Randolph, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Yet, he hasn’t had the opportunity to see his son pitch in pinstripes live.
“My dad has been itching to get to Yankee Stadium to watch a game,†Cole said. “He told me, ‘If they don’t let us in for Opening Day, I’m just going to put the radio on outside the gate, sit there and listen.’ I’m like, ‘I think we can probably get you in.’â€
For April 1’s season opener at Yankee Stadium, a limited number of fans is expected to be allowed when the Bombers play against the Toronto Blue Jays.