Yankees: Snow out is just what the doctor ordered

The Yankees home opener versus the Tampa Rays will have to wait until Tuesday, as frigid temperatures and heavy snow have canceled Monday’s festivities.

Funny enough, I criticised the Yankees decision to rest Brett Gardner in just the third game of the young season. However, after dropping the past two contests disappointingly, Monday’s home opener being canceled due to snow is exactly what the bulk of the club needs.

With temperatures in the low-40s and snow falling late into the morning, Jordan Montgomery’s first start of the year will now come on Tuesday (a scheduled off day).

Montgomery, who hails from South Carolina, told The Washington Post that he’d welcome snow over the alternative.

"“I’ve thrown in hail before. I think I’d rather snow.”"

The brisk two-game set against the Rays will now begin at 4:05 PM, though freezing rain is in the forecast for most of the Tri-State area.

Sans the hot bats of Brandon Drury, Giancarlo Stanton (whom the Jays refused to pitch to on Sunday, walking him three times) and Tyler Austin (why he didn’t start on Sunday after belting two homers the previous day is beyond me), the vast majority of the Yanks’ 25-man roster and coaching staff need an impromptu breather.

What began as an uber-impressive start in Toronto ended with fans banging their heads in frustration because of some questionable decisions by manager Aaron Boone, and subsequent failures of the Yankees’ bullpen.

Luckily, Chad Green looks primed for a promotion in the ‘pen, as he continues to show he has elite closer-like stuff. In my opinion, with Dellin Betances’ continued fall from grace, Green needs to take over the setup man duties.

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How long it take Betances to reclaim the confidence that made him a dominant late-inning arm over four-plus seasons is anyone guess. Sadly, if you can’t trust him with a four-run lead, when can you?

I have no doubt Tommy Kahnle and David Roberston’s implosion against switch-hitter Justin Smoak is merely a blip on the radar. I’m also of the mindset Smoak’s career-year in ’17 was more of an offensive awakening.

The club’s strength in 2017 looks anything but in ’18. Yes, it’s only four games in an arduous 162-game schedule, but injuries and meager performances are always a sign of concern. Let’s keep the faith and take them with a grain of salt, for now.

Monday’s rest day gets us 24 hours closer to the likely return of Jacoby Ellsbury (I can’t believe I’m looking forward to that). Eligible to come off of the 10-day DL on April 5, his placement in center field pushes Aaron Judge back to his familiar right field, with Brett Gardner staying in left and Giancarlo Stanton resuming DH duties.

While the Yankees will need their starters to at least go a full five innings (Sonny Gray’s eight K’s and seven hits for a total of 89 pitches made that virtually impossible on Sunday), the rotation has looked solid to-date.

Next: Yanks surviving injuries for now

For those that remember the home opener of ’96, the one that saw Andy Pettitte fight his way through the heavy snow, and John Wetteland eventually close out the contest versus the Royals, perhaps 22 years later, the results of that glorious season will shine on us once again.

That is, once the grounds crew can clear the field.