Michael Pineda will have the chance to light up the radar gun and allay concerns about diminished velocity when he takes the mound in his second spring start. While outside observes will probably be fixated on the speed of his fastball, Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman will likely be paying more attention to Pineda's changeup. In addition to the 23-year old right hander, Rule V selection Cesar Cabral will be available to pitch in today's game, but otherwise, the rest of the cast seems destined for a returned trip to the minors.
Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira will be in the middle of a lineup that also includes Brett Gardner and the team's DH combo of Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez, both of who have played enough outfield in the early going to suggest Girardi won't be shy about using them there during the regular season.
After dropping eight of their last 10 games to cap an epic collapse at the end of last season, the last thing the Braves needed was a 1-7 start to the Spring. So, even though wins and losses matter very little in March, especially at the beginning of the month, you can't blame the Braves, or their fans, if they start approaching these games will a little more urgency. Projected Opening Day starter Jair Jurrjens will do his best to get the Braves headed back in the right direction. The right hander will be accompanied by a lineup not that different from what could be playing behind him in April. Of particular note, SS Tyler Pastornicky will try to snap out of his early offensive and defensive funk and dispel the early doubts about the Braves decision to install him as a regular at the position.
The game is not being broadcast on television in either market, but the Braves radio feed can be accessed at MLB.com. The lineups follow the jump.
New York Yankees
- Brett Gardner - CF
- Andruw Jones - DH
- Alex Rodriguez - 3B
- Mark Teixeira -1B
- Raul Ibanez - RF
- Francisco Cervelli - C
- Bill Hall - 2B
- Justin Maxwell - LF
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Doug Bernier - SS
Michael Pineda - SP
Atlanta Braves
- Michael Bourn - CF
- Martin Prado - LF
- Brian McCann - DH
- Dan Uggla - 2B
- Chipper Jones - 3B
- Freddie Freeman - 1B
- 7. Tyler Pastornicky - SS
- J.C. Boscan - C
- Jose Constanza - RF
Jair Jurrjens - P
h/t to LoHud Yankees Blog and Talking Chop for the lineups.