Cole struggled in his season debut Saturday, allowing three earned runs on five hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. He also struck out four batters.

EDGE Analysis

The righty needed 100 pitched (62 for strikes) to navigate his way through fewer than five innings. There were some encouraging signs, however. Cole hit 97 mph and threw 10 changeups, including back-to-back changes that struck out the red-hot Jay Bruce. On average, he threw his changeup just three percent of the time in 2015 and the less stressful pitch could help give opposing batters another look. Thanks to a rib injury, Cole got a late spring start. He's never fared well in Cincinnati, either, going 0-4 in five starts. The ace will surely find better success in the not-too-distant future, though a home matchup against the Tigers in Week 2 figures to challenge him.