New York Yankees Hand The Ball To Michael Pineda In Home Opener

Following a clutch come from behind win against the Orioles on Sunday, the New York Yankees look to carry this momentum into their home opener.

• Tampa Bay Rays (5-2)
• New York Yankees (2-4)
• American League, 1:05 PM ET, YES
• Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

The New York Yankees are entering their home opener coming off a promising comeback victory against Baltimore on Sunday afternoon.

This victory was everything the Yankees needed to regain their confidence heading home. They weren’t able to capitalize on runners in scoring position early, but they ultimately got the job done.

Since opening the new Yankee Stadium, New York is 4-4 in opening games, but they did win an MLB record 11 straight between 1998 and 2008.

Today, Joe Girardi hands the ball to Michael Pineda, who will be looking to rebound in his second start of the young season and provide the home crowd some hope for the season to come.

In his first start of 2017 against these same Rays, Pineda surrendered four runs on eight hits and could not even make it out of the fourth inning. This was certainly not the start the right-hander was looking for.

Pineda will be aiming for his first win since August 5, 2016, the last time he recorded a tally in the win column. While him not receiving any W’s isn’t entirely his fault, most of it is due to his poor pitching.

Opposing Pineda will be Tampa Bay right-hander Alex Cobb, who will also be looking to replicate the successful start he had against the Bronx Bombers the first time around.

In his last start against the Yankees, Cobb held the club to just one run and four hits in just under six innings. He will also be looking to continue his career success at Yankee Stadium, which includes a 2.63 ERA in just four starts.

It’s safe to say that Cobb has the Yankees’ number over the past few years, considering not a single batter in the lineup with at least five at-bats against Cobb batting higher than .250 against him.

Lineups:

#Yankees lineup today vs. Rays:
Gardner LF
Ellsbury CF
Holliday DH
Carter 1B
Castro 2B
Headley 3B
Judge RF
Romine C
Torreyes SS
Pineda P

— Patrick Hennessy (@TrueHennessy) April 10, 2017

#Rays lineup at NY: Dickerson DH, Kiermaier CF, Longoria 3B, Miller 2B, Souza Jr RF, Morrison 1B, Norris C, Smith LF, Beckham SS – RHP Cobb

— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) April 10, 2017

It’s The Holliday Season:  

Yankees designated hitter Matt Holliday had a day to remember at the plate on Sunday, drawing a total of five walks throughout the game.

Each time Holliday came up to the plate on Sunday afternoon, he was walked. This performance tied the Yankees record for the most walks in a single game with five.

The last time a Yankees drew five walks in a game was in 2009 when Mark Teixeira did it and the only other person before that is Roger Maris.

Make that FIVE walks for Matt Holliday today. ?????

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 9, 2017

Player To Watch:

Corey Dickerson

If there was one person who hits Michael Pineda better than anyone, it is Corey Dickerson without a doubt. He is in Pineda’s head at this point, not being able to get out if he wanted to.

In 14 career at-bats against the right-hander, Dickerson is batting .571 with two home runs and five RBI’s, including one home run just last week.

Hopefully, for the Yankees sake, Pineda is a little more careful while pitching to Dickerson this time around.

This Day In Yankees History: