Following one of their most disappointing offseasons in recent memory, the New York Yankees open their 2011 campaign against the Detroit Tigers this afternoonat Yankee Stadium.
After losing in six games to the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series last October, New York went intothis winter with one plan - get Cliff Lee.
However, things did not work out, as the free-agent pitcher turned down the Yankees' money to go to Philadelphia. Then to make matters worse, left-hander Andy Pettitte retired, leaving the Yankees with two huge holes in their rotation.
Young Ivan Nova was the Yankees' best pitcher this spring and secured one of the vacancies, while veteranFreddy Garcia nailed down the fifth spot ahead of former Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon, who will pitch out of the bullpen after not pitching in the league at all last season.
As many concerns as the Yankees may have at the back of their rotation, there are none as it pertains to left-hander CC Sabathia, whowill take the ball this afternoon following a season that saw him go 21-7with a 3.18 ERA.
"He was not on the bubble," Yankee manager Joe Girardi said with a smile. "His spot in the rotation really wasn't up for discussion. For him, the spring was just about getting ready and getting his stuff sharp."
This will mark Sabathia's eighth career Opening Day start, having drawn the honors five times with the Cleveland Indians as well as in each of his first two seasons with New York. However, he has yet to win in either of his two assignments with the Yankees.
Sabathia figures to get plenty of run support, as the Yankees field basically the same lineup that scored a major league high 859 runs a year ago. In fact that vaunted offense may be even better than last season, as Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez all had down seasons.
Detroit manager Jim Leylandonce referred to the Yankees' lineup as"Murderer's Row and Cano". Well, Robinson Cano is no longer a supporting cast member. The second baseman distinguished himself as not only one of the best all-around players on the Yankees last season, but in the league as well. He hit .319 with 29 home runs, 109 RBI and 103 runs scored,while also playing a near-flawless second base to claim his first Gold Glove Award.
Rodriguez, though, had a phenomenal spring, as the three-time AL MVP batted.388 (19-for-49) with a team-leading six homers and 15 RBI. Jeter, meanwhile, enters the year 74 hits shy of becoming the first player in pinstripes to record 3.000 for his career.
Also, Girardi announced that Jeter will be moved from theleadoff spot against right-handers, with speedy Brett Gardner filling the role. Jeter will still lead off against lefties.
Jeter will be in the two-hole this afternoon against JustinVerlander, who is coming offanother sensational season. One of the few bright spots on the Tigers a year ago, Verlander was 18-9 with a 3.37 ERA.
Verlander seems to have picked up right where he leftoff a year ago, as he pitched to a 0.96 ERA in six spring starts.
The American League Central figures to be a three-team race this season and unlike last year, the Tigers should be right in the thick of it.
After losing a one-game playoff for a division title to the Minnesota Twins in 2009, the Tigers began the process of clearing out payroll and it showed, as they stumbled out of the gates and never recovered before eventually finishing.500.
On the bright side, Miguel Cabrera put forth the best season of his career with virtually no protection in thelineup. As good as he was last year, the first baseman could be even better this season with the addition of newly- signed Victor Martinez.
Things did not get off to a great start for the Tigers, though, as Cabrera was charged with DUI following arun-in with police shortly after the start of spring training. Leyland and Cabrera insist his problems are behind him and he is ready to get going.
The Yankees split their eight matchups with the Tigers last season, but are 9-5 against them since the start of the 2009 campaign.
