TorontoBlue Jays
DavidEckstein, SS
Matt Stairs, LF
Álex Ríos, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Frank Thomas, DH
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Aaron Hill, 2B
Marco Scutaro, 3B
Gregg Zaun, C
Dustin McGowan, RHP (12-10, 4.08 ERA in 2007)
NewYork Yankees
JohnnyDamon, DH
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Jason Giambi, 1B
Robinson Canó, 2B
Hideki Matsui, LF
Jose Molina, C
Melky Cabrera, CF
Phil Hughes, RHP (5-3, 4.46 ERA in 2007)
Jorge Posada remains out of the lineup with a stiff right shoulder. Hideki Matsui makes his first start in LF while Johnny Damon shifts to DH.
PhilHughes is already making his fourth career start against the Jays (1-1, 4.70ERA), which includes his major league debut on May 1st of lastseason.
DustinMcGowan was 2-2, 5.25 ERA in 4 starts against the Yanks in 2007.
Yankees'career numbers vs. McGowan can be viewed here. Jays' careernumbers vs. Franchise can be viewed here.
Finally,for those Yankee fans who are concerned about the offense the first two games (andyou know who you are!), it’s worth mentioning that the “Greatest offense in the history of baseball” (according to StevePhillips), the Detroit Tigers, have now scored a grand total of 5 runs in 3games and opened the 2008 campaign by getting swept at home by the KC Royals.
Asign of things to come?
Not on your life. The Tigers willmash this season. And the Yankees willtoo once the weather begins to warm up and they’re not facing the likes ofHalladay and Burnett on a nightly basis.