New York Yankees Opening Day Lineup Revealed

The New York Yankees revealed their Opening Day lineup against the Atlanta Braves in their final Spring Training game of the year.

The New York Yankees wrapped up their Spring Training exhibition schedule on Friday against the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees lost the game 8-5 but had a successful spring, going 24-9.

Greg Bird continued his torrid production in the game. He launched yet another home run, the first at SunTrust Park. It was his eighth home run of the spring, and the Yankees are hoping he will be able to carry that production over into the regular season.

Bird will have an important role in the Yankees lineup. He will be hitting behind last season’s breakout star, Gary Sanchez. Earlier in the week, it was revealed that the Yankees planned on hitting Sanchez in the two-hole. We are able to now confirm that and know that Bird will be protecting him in the lineup.

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In the regular season tuneup against the Braves, the Yankees used a lot of their regulars in the lineup. It was later revealed that the Yankees lineup they used against the Braves will be the lineup they use on Opening Day Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Leading off for the Yankees will be Brett Gardner in left field. Sanchez will follow him as the catcher, with Bird playing first base and batting third. Hitting cleanup will be Matt Holliday, who is the designated hitter. Rounding out the middle of the order is Jacoby Ellsbury in centerfield and Starlin Castro at second base. The final three spots in the order will be filled by Chase Headley, playing third base, Aaron Judge in right field and Ronald Torreyes playing shortstop.

The news was passed on by ESPN Senior Writer, Andrew Marchand.

This lineup makes sense. Manager Joe Girardi relies heavily on numbers, so it should surprise no one that he wanted to break up the lineup alternating left-handed and right-handed batters. That will make it difficult for opposing managers to navigate the Yankees lineup.

But, this lineup is likely to change once Didi Gregorius returns from injury. Ellsbury has struggled in a run producing role with the Yankees and has never started a game from the No.5 spot in the lineup.

One player to keep an eye on is Judge. He had a very good spring and could move his way up the lineup if he continues producing. It will be difficult to find him a spot if Girardi wants to keep alternating players, but it is something Girardi can figure out when the time comes.

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This will be the lineup behind Masahiro Tanaka on Sunday afternoon. It has potential, as Sanchez and Bird could be a tough duo for opponents to get out. The lineup is rather deep and should have no problem producing some runs; the question mark for the Yankees comes from the pitching staff heading into the season.