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NYY #23 · 04-19-2014, 01:33 AM

The Yankee season begins today in Houston, taking on an Astros team that went 51-111 last year taking on Astros 'ace' Scott Feldman, who went 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA last season. Taking the mound for the Yankees is our ace, CC Sabathia, trying to recover from a poor 2013 in which he went 14-13 with a 4.78 ERA. Only time will tell if time is beginning to catch up with Sabathia, or if last season was a blip and he'll return to form in 2014.

Starting lineup
CF - Jacoby Ellsbury
SS - Derek Jeter
RF - Carlos Beltran
DH - Alfonso Soriano
C - Brian McCann
1B - Mark Teixera
3B - Kelly Johnson
LF - Brett Gardner
2B - Brian Roberts

Since this is our first game I'll share a couple thoughts on our lineup. While I feel pretty good about our outfield, despite some injury concerns, the infield really worries me. Jeter is returning from essentially a lost 2013 season, as is Mark Teixera. Neither Kelly Johnson or Brian Roberts strike me as starters on a championship team, and I'm really worried about Roberts.

On the bench we've got Yangervis Solarte and Dean Anna who are capable of playing in the infield, with Scott Sizemore stashed down in AAA ready for a callup.

Behind the plate McCann is the starter, with Francisco Cervelli backing him up. One position I feel pretty good about. The final spot on the bench belongs to past his prime Ichiro Suzuki, who at least has speed and defense on his side.

The bullpen has a couple question marks with closer David Robertson the heir to the recently retired Mariano Rivera, who is virtually impossible to replace. Righty Shawn Kelley and lefty Matt Thornton will be called on for late innings relief, with a quartet of former starters rounding out the bullpen, with David Phelps, Adam Warren, Vidal Nuno, and Dellin Betances.

-----------------------

The Yankees got the scoring started early, with Derek Jeter drawing a first inning walk, Carlos Beltran singling, and Brian McCann doubling home them both for a 2-0 lead.

The big guy took the mound in the bottom of the first and promptly gave up back to back singles. While I took it as a bad omen, CC did induce a pop-up, and then retired the side with a strike 'em out throw 'em out double play to end the inning.

When the Yankees stepped to the plate in the top of the second I started to feel pretty good, with Brett Gardner hitting a double and Brian Roberts connecting on a two run inside the park home run.

The one player who I had the least amount of confidence wouldn't be done at the plate though, he'd hit a second home run in the bottom of the seventh - a grand slam!

CC settled down and went 8 strong innings while striking out 9 batters. Dellin Betances took the mound with a small 11-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth making his 2014 debut and shook off a one out walk to retire the side without giving up a run.

Final Score :
Yankees 11
Astros 3

Season Record: 1-0

Heroes

Nobody came up bigger than Brian Roberts with a pair of home runs and 6 RBI in his Yankee debut. Brian McCann made his Yankee debut with a double, homer, and 4 RBI, and Beltran debuted with a pair of hits. The new guys came through today.

Brett Gardner was a perfect 4-4 at the plate with a walk, RBI, and pair of runs scored. Not too shabby.

CC deserves some credit for his performance tonight with 8 strong innings, only wishing he could take back the 3 run fifth inning.

Goats

It's hard to find fault with an 11-3 win, but Jeter with a hitless 0-3 night and Ellsbury with a 1-6 night would be the top candidates.

04-19-2014, 01:33 AM	#2
NYY #23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 13,112	April 1, 2014 - Yankees at Astros The Yankee season begins today in Houston, taking on an Astros team that went 51-111 last year taking on Astros 'ace' Scott Feldman, who went 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA last season. Taking the mound for the Yankees is our ace, CC Sabathia, trying to recover from a poor 2013 in which he went 14-13 with a 4.78 ERA. Only time will tell if time is beginning to catch up with Sabathia, or if last season was a blip and he'll return to form in 2014. Starting lineup CF - Jacoby Ellsbury SS - Derek Jeter RF - Carlos Beltran DH - Alfonso Soriano C - Brian McCann 1B - Mark Teixera 3B - Kelly Johnson LF - Brett Gardner 2B - Brian Roberts Since this is our first game I'll share a couple thoughts on our lineup. While I feel pretty good about our outfield, despite some injury concerns, the infield really worries me. Jeter is returning from essentially a lost 2013 season, as is Mark Teixera. Neither Kelly Johnson or Brian Roberts strike me as starters on a championship team, and I'm really worried about Roberts. On the bench we've got Yangervis Solarte and Dean Anna who are capable of playing in the infield, with Scott Sizemore stashed down in AAA ready for a callup. Behind the plate McCann is the starter, with Francisco Cervelli backing him up. One position I feel pretty good about. The final spot on the bench belongs to past his prime Ichiro Suzuki, who at least has speed and defense on his side. The bullpen has a couple question marks with closer David Robertson the heir to the recently retired Mariano Rivera, who is virtually impossible to replace. Righty Shawn Kelley and lefty Matt Thornton will be called on for late innings relief, with a quartet of former starters rounding out the bullpen, with David Phelps, Adam Warren, Vidal Nuno, and Dellin Betances. ----------------------- The Yankees got the scoring started early, with Derek Jeter drawing a first inning walk, Carlos Beltran singling, and Brian McCann doubling home them both for a 2-0 lead. The big guy took the mound in the bottom of the first and promptly gave up back to back singles. While I took it as a bad omen, CC did induce a pop-up, and then retired the side with a strike 'em out throw 'em out double play to end the inning. When the Yankees stepped to the plate in the top of the second I started to feel pretty good, with Brett Gardner hitting a double and Brian Roberts connecting on a two run inside the park home run. The one player who I had the least amount of confidence wouldn't be done at the plate though, he'd hit a second home run in the bottom of the seventh - a grand slam! CC settled down and went 8 strong innings while striking out 9 batters. Dellin Betances took the mound with a small 11-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth making his 2014 debut and shook off a one out walk to retire the side without giving up a run. Final Score : Yankees 11 Astros 3 Season Record: 1-0 Heroes Nobody came up bigger than Brian Roberts with a pair of home runs and 6 RBI in his Yankee debut. Brian McCann made his Yankee debut with a double, homer, and 4 RBI, and Beltran debuted with a pair of hits. The new guys came through today. Brett Gardner was a perfect 4-4 at the plate with a walk, RBI, and pair of runs scored. Not too shabby. CC deserves some credit for his performance tonight with 8 strong innings, only wishing he could take back the 3 run fifth inning. Goats It's hard to find fault with an 11-3 win, but Jeter with a hitless 0-3 night and Ellsbury with a 1-6 night would be the top candidates.