Opening Day Eve

All roster moves have been finalized and the Yankees are on a flight to Boston. Tomorrow at 8:05 p.m. the defending world champions square off against their bitter rivals to open up the 2010 season. Now that's prime time television. The game will air on YES and ESPN2 and baseball will be back, it's a beautiful thing. 

Here are the final spring training statistics. Robinson Cano had a scorching spring and finished with a .393 average in 53 at bats. Other strong finishers in Grapefruit League action include Curtis Granderson (.286 avg, 7/5 K/BB ratio), Nick Swisher (.313 avg, two homers, 10 RBI), Mark Teixeira (.362 avg, three homers), Alex Rodriguez (.333 avg, two homers, 10 RBI) and Jorge Posada (.371 avg, six RBI). I don't really worry about pitcher's numbers in the spring, more just arm strength, velocity, command and pitch movement. That being said, C.C. Sabathia (7.23 ERA), Javier Vazquez (4.19 ERA), A.J. Burnett (5.19 ERA) and Phil Hughes (4.35 ERA) all put up less-than-inspiring numbers. But their strikeout-to-walk numbers have all been good, they all look strong and healthy and have occasionally flashing their good stuff. Hughes now features an effective change up and Vazquez looks like a completely different pitcher from his last stint in pinstripes. Sabathia's mechanics looked fine over his last couple starts and his breaking ball has been getting sharper. Out of this group, I'm most concerned with Burnett. He really hasn't shown good command in any of his turns, but I suspect the veteran will be fine come Tuesday.

The Yankees official roster heading into the season.

Lineup: 

Derek Jeter - SS

Nick Johnson - DH

Mark Teixeira - 1B

Alex Rodriguez - 3B

Robinson Cano - 2B

Jorge Posada - C

Curtis Granderson - CF

Nick Swisher - RF
Brett Gardner - LF

Rotation:

C.C. Sabathia - LHP

A.J. Burnett - RHP

Andy Pettitte - LHP

Javier Vazquez - RHP

Phil Hughes - RHP

Bullpen:

Mariano Rivera - RHP

Joba Chamberlain - RHP

Dave Robertson - RHP

DeMaso Marte - LHP

Chan Ho Park - RHP

Alfredo Aceves - RHP

Sergio Mitre - RHP

Bench:

Francisco Cervelli - C
Ramiro Pena - INF
Randy Winn - OF

Marcus Thames - OF