With the New York Yankees just one day away from opening day, fans should take note of the lineup that has been announced for game one.
In Sunday, April 1, 2017’s edition of New York Yankees Bronx Bomber Buzz, we take a look at the lineup that has been announced for opening day in Tampa Bay.
Your New York #Yankees 2017 MLB Opening Day Lineup. pic.twitter.com/i6TQTklUkX
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) April 1, 2017
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said this will be his Opening Day lineup against the Rays on… https://t.co/4IedlBQ2Xs pic.twitter.com/syHxOAbXey
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) March 31, 2017
The questions have finally been answered regarding the starting lineup that many have been asking all offseason. One of the key changes from last season includes Jacoby Ellsbury in the fifth spot.
Splitting up Ellsbury and Brett Gardner from the top of the lineup has been something Joe Girardi has been considering for a while, however, nobody really thought he would move Ellsbury to the fifth hole.
This role for Ellsbury may not be permanent, considering he may just be filling in the spot in the lineup for injured shortstop Didi Gregorius.
Speaking of Gregorius, due to his injury Ronald Torreyes will be the starting shortstop to begin the season, making him the fourth different Yankees opening day shortstop since 2013.
Another takeaway from this opening day lineup is the movement of phenom Gary Sanchez to the two hole. This was something Joe experimented with in spring training and apparently liked the way it worked out.
If the exhibition game against the Braves showed anything, it only exaggerated the fact that Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird have the potential to wreak havoc at the top of the lineup.
In the third inning, Sanchez laced a double to left field which was quickly followed by a Bird dinger, something fans should get used to seeing a lot of in 2017.
Nevertheless, this lineup Joe Girardi set up for opening day has given the Yankees a good chance of leaving Tropicana Field with a win on Sunday afternoon.
