As we will no-doubt be reminded ad nauseum during the broadcast, this gray and drizzly afternoon will mark the beginning of the end for the beloved behemoth that is Yankee Stadium. We have arrived at the final opening day for the old ballpark in the Bronx. The Yankees, however, begin a new era a year before they abandon the House of Ruth. In a preview of what will come next year, the team has replaced reliable old battleax Joe Torre, with a new-fangled doppelganger of the same name. What will the Girardi era bring? One hopes a return to the glory of the past. Today we’ll get our first look at Girardi the tactician. How will he handle his young pitching staff? Are we in for NL-style baseball? The offense looks powerful, but the Pinstripers will live or die with the performance of their pitching staff, which balances some rapidly aging vets and some very young blood. Getting the start today is the one pitcher at the fulcrom of that lever. Chien-Ming Wang comes off a pair of 19-win seasons, and a pair of playoff flameouts. He’ll face perennial Cy Young candidate and warhorse Roy Halladay, of the Blue Jays. We’re putting up the game thread early, so comment away. This fan is ready on day one. Play Ball!
Update: Today’s game PPD by rain. Rescheduled for tomorrow at 7:05.
The best thing about opening day is the ace matchups. Halladay vs Wang (even though many don’t consider him an “Ace”), Meche vs Verlander, Webb vs Harang, Sheets vs Zambrano, Buehrle vs Sabathia, Zito vs Penny, Millwood vs Bedard, Oswalt vs Peavy… it’s all so wonderful! Especially if you love pitching, like I do.
If you favor hitting, well… it might not be so fun for you.
“…..The best thing about opening day is the ace matchups…..”
Carl Pavano would like a word with you.
Hey, I’m only listening the ACE matchups. If this was April 1, 2007 I would have added Pavano’s start as a joke ;-)
Wasn’t Clement the Sox started in 2005 or 2006?
Is Millwood an ace? Zito?
I’m looking forward to seeing Santana pitch, and also Bedard and Peavy. I love baseball.
Millwood and Zito may have struggled last year, but I think it’s fair to call either of them their team’s ace.
Shoot, just started to rain here in midtown.
I would most certainly not call Zito SF’s ace, no matter what SF thinks. Cain is a much worthier candidate. But you’re right on Millwood. Boy is that Rangers team awful.
Cain may have performed the best for the Giants last year, but I would still consider Zito the more proven pitcher. Cain only has two seasons under his belt, and Zito is taking the ball in the season opener today.
The Giants could throw Walter Johnson out there today and it still wouldn’t help.
Anyone have the outlook for NY today? (insert lazy pun here)…will this game be delayed?
The forecast is cold with intermitent rain. Don’t expect a delay.
The lineups, from Pete Abe:
YANKS
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cabrera CF
JAYS
Eckstein SS
Stairs/Stewart LF
Rios RF
Wells CF
Thomas DH
Overbay 1B
Hill 2B
Scutaro 3B
Zaun C
From Lohud (yes I was reading Pete’s blog):
The Yankees are 61-43-1 on Opening Day, 28-10 at the Stadium. They are 16-11 in presidential election years. When the Yankees win at home on Opening Day, the GOP is 4-1 in the election. When the Yankees lose, the Democrats are 3-0.
Hey YF, still rooting for the Yankees today? ;-)
i was beginning to wonder if today would ever come.
this off season was brutal.
i actually had the chance to get out and play some baseball yesterday. it was gorgeous here. the day was made even more perfect knowing that there’d be be baseball to watch today.
really excited over here.
Really? It’s freezing and drizzly in Boston today.
I really hope it’s nice in Boston on April 8. I’ll be flying up for the game from Virginia, and will be furious if the game is rained out (or delayed–I fly out that night).
are you guys having problems logging into the fantasy league today? For whatever reason, it’s telling me it’s not available. Been that way all morning. Can someone check to see if it’s just me..
Thanks.
Atheose, that’s one of those times that you miss your flight and hope they have room on the later one. ha.
Not THAT superstitious, Atheos.
i’m telling you andrew, it was perfect spring baseball weather. today is definitely a two steps back kind of deal, but between 1 and 3:30 yesterday it was perfect. i can barely move, but i can’t stop smiling.
brad, the league works fine for me. if it is any consolation, i think our rosters are already set for the week.
yeah, they are, but I’m trying to answer a trade request and check the status on one I proposed.
Oh well. Maybe the IT guys are catching on to my distinct lack of productivity here from April to October. ha.
Yeah Brad, the league works for me. HOWEVER, I’m having trouble finding certain players. For instance, Wily Mo isn’t to be found anywhere in the Fantasy League database!
Correction, I found Wily Mo Pena by searching in Trade Central. When I tried looking in the Player Pool he wasn’t found, possibly because he’s on the 15-day DL.
By the way, according to the fantasy tables both Verlander and Meche have pitched complete games. It’s given Fenshayparkway points for both of this. Anyone else seeing this, or just me?
Coming down pretty good here in NY right now. Pete Abe reports the tarp is on the field. Can’t imagine there will be baseball unless this clears up, with the open date tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Good luck YFs, and by good luck I mean I hope you end up using every pitcher in 28-0 6 hour shutout loss.
We’re getting a combination of rain and very wet snow here in Columbia County (two hours north of NYC) at a quarter to 1 pm.
Wang v. Halladay ought to be fun, if they get the game in.
I think for the fantasy leagues we should’ve “skipped” the first week or something. I got 2 guys on the DL + Sosa starting, though maybe it averages out..
27 comments and game hasn’t started yet. I hope the game starts, and it’s going to be exciting!
With Wang on the mound, will there be a “plugged ball” rule for stuff in play off his sinker, a la golf on a wet course?
I was just thinking about that, SF. Very wet turf + lots of ground balls = lots of work for Jeter and Cano.
In either case, it’s rain delayed. Boo.
Delayed. Looks like a post 2:00 start (maybe.). Meanwhile, ESPN has Tigers/Royals.
I don’t see this game getting played. I’m here at the stadium and the rain is steady. New stadium looks awesome from outside.
It looks awful here downtown, but I’m still hoping the game will be played..
I’m struggling with my mlb.com page – is this a delay or postponement?
Im looking at the radar right now and it looks like all the rain should be pushing through pretty soon.
It’s just delayed so far RBF.
Detroit has Renteria leading off, and he knocks in the first run. Tigers up 1-0, Verlander looking sharp.
I hate to say it, but this is prime injury weather.
I think I’m ready to change my season predictions. Gimme Verlander for the Cy…..
Here’s one of John’s pictures from this dreary opening day
Nasty picture, John. Though it’s nice to have an “inside-man” to give us the scoop on what it looks like out there!
Verlander–who went to the same college as me during my Freshman year–is perfect through three.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see an opening day no-no in Detroit. Icey weather, an opponent that can’t hit, and a massive strike zone behind the plate. You heard it here first.
How long do you think they’ll give the Yanks/BlueJays delay before calling it?
I was secretly thinking the same thing YF, I just didn’t want to voice it. I used to hate batting in March when I was younger. I still get shivers remembering the vibration that would travel up the bat on a cold day.
Mags thrown out at home, still 1-0. Maybe Verlander will pull a Nolan Ryan, and say “Don’t worry boys, all I need is 1 [run] today.”
Mark Grudzielanek hit by pitch on a 1-2 count. There goes the perfect game.
It’s raining here in VA, and I’m bored as hell. Thank goodness the weather is good in Detroit.
Sunny in CA and I’m still bored as hell. 32 hours until the game in Oakland starts. In 30 hours or so I should be watching batting practice…
butler with the single.
nice jynx
Pecota REALLY underprojects Verlander. I think he’s the man to beat for the CYA, with due respect elsewhere. With the Detroit offense, he’s gonna be up around 20 wins, no problem, if he’s healthy.
Verlander isn’t on my fantasy team, so I don’t mind jynxing him ;-)
Verlander should easily get 20 wins, barring injury. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his run support around 6/game by the end of the season.
with all due respect, that’s been said about a half dozen guys in the past five years from all over baseball.. Randy Johnson, Josh Beckett, Doc Holladay – to name a couple. Somehow, those marks tend to stay untouched for the most part.
It’s not easy to do that no matter what the offense is.
I agree though, he has to be considered among the top five projected leaders in that awards chances.
Or I’m defending my man-crush on Beckett, who I think will be even better this year, thus not allowing Verlander to compete for the award at all.
ha.
C’Mon Edgar…rack up those leadoff rbi’s for me…
wooohooo!
Renteria walks, bases loaded.
I’m kinda surprised Renteria is leading off, and that Cabrera is batting 5th. I would have put Sheffield at #5, and let Cabrera hit 3 or 4.
damn it..
swing edgar. jeez
well hopefully, Palanco clears them, and I get the run in combo with the RBI he already has. ha.
Wait, so players get a combo if they have both an RBI and a run scored?
Jose Guillen still has a great arm.
yeah he does, Andrew.
Sheffield walks on a fastball that Gameday says was pretty good. Tigers up 2-0.
I’ve got some work to do, I’ll be back later. Hopefully there will be Yankees baseball on!
Atheose, I’m not sure. I can’t imagine that runs and rbi’s don’t count as individual points. Maybe not a combo, but both stats have to be awarded points I would think. Otherwise, what’s the point of trying to get a good leadoff hitter?
Game postponed to tomorrow, by the way..
Yanks-Jays PPD by rain. Rescheduled for tomorrow at 7:05.
Someone might say this is some kind of omen. Or that Yankee Stadium refuses to die…
Cripes. Cabrera dinger. Verlander for your CYA, Cabrera for your MVP? If they win the division…..Wouldn’t bet against it….
Cabrerra is going to have a monster year, I think. Holy cow that was crushed.
I think it’ll be hard to beat Manny or A-Rod this year for that award. Just my feeling – but I think both of them are in just as good a spot as him.
I’m still not on the Tigers bandwagon. Verlander might be the real deal, but I think Cabrera will struggle in the AL for his first season, and never mind the Tigers’ many non-Verlander pitching troubles.
So that’s why the scouts like Alex Gordon. Huh.
Guess we should hold off giving the Verlander the Cy…
Maybe for another couple of games.
Verlander gone after 6 — with an ERA worse than Matsuzaka’s, I might add… All tied up at threes.
Incidentally, the new MLB.com GameDay is snazzy indeed.
Gosh, I am having a good first fantasy day. Guillen, Miggy, B.Roberts, Helton, B.Upton, Hafner have all contributed, so far.
What happened to DeJesus?
You knew it was only a matter of time before Detroit’s pen coughed up the go-ahead run. In what is sure to be a recurring theme, now they have to ask their bats to bail them out…
Don’t worry, Paul. They’re playing the Royals…that’s practically like a get-out-of-jail-free card. Once they start facing teams with actual good relief pitching, they might be in trouble.
Yeah, sure enough, Detroit’s got a runner at third and one out.
Wow, I get back and we have bonus baseball, with the tying run on third in the 11th.
The new gameday is spiffy, but it’s lagging up my work computer like hell. Taking forever to load here.
Apparently Buehrle crapped the bed in the Indians game… is fantasy baseball a blessing or a curse?
Holy cow, they actually wiggled out of it! Hooray for the gritty, plucky, courageous Royals!
Note to Steve Phillips: his “best offense in history” is on pace to score 648 runs and go 0-162. How’s that for dumb prognostication?
Ballgame. Old “friend” Edgar Renteria (against whom I will root until his retirement; yes, I’m that petty) strikes out in a key spot. I cheer inside.
Fantastic: Zito has an ERA of 80.00 right now, and Buehrle is at 36.00. Not a great way for my fantasy pitchers to start.
Have any of the aces thrown quality starts in the opening ballgames yet?
By standard definition (6 IP/3 ER), I think the answer is no. Matsuzaka, Blanton, Verlander, Sabathia all less than 6 or more than 3. By game score (50+), it might be a little better.
Question about the snazzy new Gameday:
What do “BRK” and “pFX” mean? Lateral and downward breaks? Help!
I believe that’s correct, YM.
Someone once explained it to me YM, but I never really got it. If I remember correctly, BRK is how much the pitch breaks, and pFX is the PERCEIVED break? Something along those lines.
It’s a DAMN good thing I’ve got ARod, because my pitching looks like it’ll suck this season. And considering three of my five starters are on the Giants/White Sox (Zito, Buehrle, Lincecum) there aren’t going to be a lot of wins there. Dan Haren better f#$king adjust to the NL well.
WTF? A pitchers’ duel between Santana and…Mark Hendrickson??
Tie game in Cleveland. Not a good day for the AL Central powers — which conversely makes it a good day for the Yanks and Sox, one of which will surely be battling one of them for the Wild Card.
So, this would have been the first ever game in YS in March and the last Opening Day at YS. That would have been a really cool ticket stub.
Sox favorite Gagne just gave up the Brewer’s lead.
some notes from around the league…..
hinske: 1 for 3 with 2 runs and an HR
gordon: in a 1/3 of an inning he gave up 4 hits a walk and surrendered 5 earned.
gagne: unable to record an out, gives up 2 hits and a walk surrendering 3 earned. fukudome hits a 3 run bomb in the 9th to tie it.
And Brian Roberts is batting 1.000. I love Opening Day!
The Gagne strikes again! Gives up a game-tying 3-run HR to blow a save.
Hmm, Bedard not looking so hot…over 100 pitches through 4+ innings. 5K and 3 hits, but also 4 walks.
Headline we won’t see:
Cubs get Fuku homer off Gagne
…
Ah, crap.
There’s a better one in there somewhere.
I choked.
Sorry to trample in your game thread, YFs. but it was a rainout and I’ve got no place else to go.
Any film camera buffs out there? I could use some help finding a somewhat rare Canon lens.
Bill, try adorama camera or B&H photo in NYC. They both have excellent selections of used lenses and bodies.
Pettitte out for 6-8 weeks, Igawa will be called up from Scranton to fill his place. Jesus christ.
http://riveraveblues.com/2008/04/01/with-pettitte-out-6-8-weeks-igawa-to-join-rotation-2454/
Is this an April Fool’s Day joke?
Because if it is, I don’t like being teased like this.
So that would have been the first March game in Yankee Stadium history and the last Opening Day at YS? That would have been a cool ticket stub to have.
Ok, didn’t remember that I had already posted that, weird, I just remembered thinking it, not actually posting it. I need some rest.