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The Yankees finally return from their rocky season-opening road trip to Toronto with a 2-2 record. They might have stood unbeaten, if not for a pair of epic bullpen collapses.
Jordan Montgomery looks to extend the rotation's early-season success as he starts today's home opener. Last year, the left-hander went 9-7 with a 3.88 ERA. He even received down-ballot Rookie of the Year votes for his efforts. In three starts versus the Rays last season (all at Yankee Stadium), Montgomery allowed seven earned runs over 13.1 innings. He posted a 1-1 record while registering 17 strikeouts.
Chris Archer takes the hill for Tampa Bay for his second start of 2018. Archer threw six innings plus on Opening Day against the Red Sox at Tropicana Field. He surrendered four runs in the no-decision. In nine career starts at Yankee Stadium, Archer is 3-3 with a 3.13 ERA.
Rays manager Kevin Cash previously announced a four-man rotation to start the season, with the fifth day being a bullpen start. That experiment was to kick off yesterday with Austin Pruitt going for Tampa Bay. Following the postponement, however, Cash decided to eschew the bullpen start in favor of his ace on regular rest.
This will be the tenth home opener played in Yankee Stadium III. The new cathedral opened in 2009, the year of the club's most recent championship. Fitting, since this seems like the most eagerly awaited season in recent memory. Fueled by the Bomber's unexpectedly deep run in the playoffs last year and the offseason acquisition of Stanton, fans' anticipation that the team might take that next step has reached a fever pitch.
The Yankees will honor the 1978 championship team today. Bucky Dent — the hero of Game 163 versus Boston and World Series MVP — is slated to throw out the first pitch with Mickey Rivers. WFAN will broadcast the pre-game beginning at 3:25 PM EDT. First pitch is 4:05 PM and you can watch on YES and ESPN.