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There’s a growing consensus that the Yankees can make due in the DH spot with Andruw Jones facing lefties and a revolving door of veterans switching off a couple times a week. And it’s mostly true. It wouldn’t be the end of the world starting the season without someone to platoon with Jones – Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira figure to get at-bats there against lefties, and Alex Rodriguez against righties. Teixeira’s OPS against RHP last year was .779 compared to .967 against LHP. His career splits aren’t as drastic, so if Kevin Long and Teixeira can fix this that gives the Yankees even more of an advantage.

But rotating old man infield — and occasionally Nick Swisher or Curtis Granderson — through the DH spot means more appearances on the field from Jones and the defensively challenged Eduardo Nunez. And to maximize both the defense and the offense it’s best to keep Rodriguez, Jeter, and Teixeira on the field as often as possible. Since we’re all in agreement that Jones shouldn’t be hitting against righties – he had an OPS of .709 against them last year in 76 plate appearances (seems like 76 too many) – the Yankees would be a better club by having an option on the bench who can hit right-handers.

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Tuesday: RHP Hughes (11-2, 3.65) vs. TBA (No stats yet, but I heard this TBA guy can hit the upper 90′s with his fastball) 7:05 p.m.

Wednesday: RHP Javy (7-7, 4.45) vs. RHP Joel Pineiro (10-6, 3.95) 1:05 p.m.

It will be fun seeing Matsui again, and if you’re at the game on Wednesday stop by and say to hi to me in section 108.

LET’S GO YANKS!!!!

Who’s the master? Adam Jones! WHO’S THE MASTER?!?! ADAM JONES!!!

Clap! Clap! Clap! And I’m not telling three people at a health clinic what they have. No, I’m actually giving props to the Baltimore Orioles for their Opening Day victory over the New York Yankees, 10-5 (Boxscore). And not a simple victory, but a straight up shellacking! What happened? Not only is this the equivalent of a swipe at the Yankees’ money and its reckless use, but also a kung fu kick to the testicles!

Both prized free agent offseason signings that played in this game did jacksquat. CC Sabathia went all of 4.1 innings, giving up six runs on eight hits and five walks, and having zero strikeouts. ZERO K’s?!?!?! That hasn’t happened since July 25, 2005 versus the Oakland A’s in Sabathia’s hometown Bay Area. Carsten Charles Sabathia (pulls on Sloth from “The Goonies”-type ear), you better get your stuff right, mister!

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The first game at the new Yankee Stadium took place in a wet climate, filled with a palpable excitement, and that fresh new stadium smell. The Chicago Cubs may have had the first player to ever get a hit at the new ballpark in Aaron Miles, but they didn’t have enough to stop the first Yankee to ever get a hit, Derek Jeter, and the power strokes of Robinson Cano (two-run homer in the second inning), Hideki Matsui (two-run dinger in the third), and Cody Ransom (three-run blast in the fourth) as the New York Yankees went on to win 7-4.

Reggie Jackson threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Yankees, which seemed appropriate as Jackson was the first high-priced Yankee that was either loved or hate because of the money surrounding him, but also the undeniable talent. Sound familiar?

In any case, Yankee starter Chien-Ming Wang looked off and is still in the middle of getting back to form as he pitched five innings, gave up four runs on six hits, and struck out three versus walking two. This was Wang’s first win of spring training, but the Yankees’ ninth consecutive W. They are 23-10 overall this spring. The Yankees look to continue their winning streak with another exhibition game at the Stadium versus the very same Cubs on Saturday.

Don’t forget to look at the poll on the right sidebar and click on how many wins you think the Yankees will end up with this season. Also, join the Facebook group page, as well as follow us on Twitter!

Howdy, folks, first of all, apologies for any inconvenience yesterday if you tried to access the blog and was met with an unfriendly error message, but because of the FanSided sports network’s growth (this very blog being a part of that), we needed to migrate on over to another server. Thus, no Yanks Go Yard for several hours. BUT, we’re back!

Every now and then, when time just isn’t on my side for whatever reason, I’ll yank the chain. No, not while browsing the latest pictures of scantily-clad women or various burgers throughout the world. What I mean is I’ll collect a bunch of links from around the interwebs about our beloved New York Yankees, write a sentence or two about the link, and since there will be a few links involved, it creates a chain!!! You see, you see… that’s why I call this section “Yanking The Chain”… wow, I’m a genius.

• CC Sabathia won again, Mark Teixeira is a straight-up masher, and Hideki Matsui ain’t a playa, he just crushes a lot [Yankees beat Phillies]
• Joba Chamberlain gets probation and fined for his DUI last October [ESPN]
• Derek Jeter’s switch with Johnny Damon in the batting order is a done deal [Yahoo! Sports]
• Bob Sheppard could be calling it quits when it comes to being the voice of Yankee Stadium [NY Times]