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Cole talks opening-day start; Frazier, Freese scratched

Related Topics: Gerrit Cole

BRADENTON, Fla. — Citing a “different vibe” than last season, Gerrit Cole said he was very excited to receive the first start of the season.

“There’s a lot of pageantry involved in opening day, flyovers, extra long TV breaks and stuff,” Cole said. “To say that it’s not important, more so than some other ones, it is. It’s the first game of the year. but I got 30 starts to make. Each win or loss is equally as important.”

Cole will start the season opener against the Boston Red Sox April 3 at Fenway Park. He has been there only once, for a Team USA workout while he was still in school.