Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle has announced that Gerrit Cole will be the club’s Opening Day starter for the second consecutive year
As per MLB.com’s Adam Berry, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle has announced Gerrit Cole as his Opening Day starter for the 2017 season.
Cole will get the nod for the second consecutive season, having made the club’s first start in 2016 as well. In 2015, he started the team’s first home start.
As Berry reports, Hurdle also set some of his further first-week starters in stone:
Jameson Taillon will start the second game in Boston. Third starter in that series is TBD. Ivan Nova will start the home opener.
— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) February 25, 2017
Cole is looking to re-establish his 2015 level of performance, and will get the first crack amongst Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitchers to helping the unit rebound from some truly abysmal performances in 2016.
Which Cole Will the Pirates Get?
MORE: Gerrit Cole – 2017 Preview
It is not exactly surprising that Jameson Taillon would get the second-starting slot nod. Going into the season, many felt that Taillon should be considered the team’s “number two” starting pitcher, though it must be said that these types of designations are arbitrary – especially during the season’s opening weeks. During that time, days off are more frequent, allowing for clubs to truly “set” their rotations later than one would think.
Ivan Nova represents the club’s marquee free agent signing, and Pittsburgh Pirates fans will get the chance to begin evaluating that move in their hometown PNC Park.
Pirates Breakdown will have more analysis on the starting rotation all throughout Spring Training.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
