Opening day is officially in the books. Here are five observations from the Yankees win over the Orioles on Thursday afternoon.
For the second straight season, the Yankees opened the regular season with a win. Yesterday the Yankees took down the Baltimore Orioles by a final score of 7-2.
Both Luke Voit and Greg Bird hit home runs while Masahiro Tanaka pitched 5.2 innings allowing just one earned run.
It was a stellar start to the season that had a lot of notable moments. Here is five observations from the Yankees opening day win.
Luke Voit is still good
The Yankees traded for Luke Voit at July trade deadline last summer, and not many thought the move would make any significant impacts. However, in Voit, the Yankees ended up finding their number four-hitter as the first basemen hit to a home run pace of one bomb per 10 at bats.
Many speculated that Voit maybe just caught lightning in a bottle. On Thursday however, he made a big statement to his doubters slugging a three-run home run as part of a four-RBI day.
New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles, 3/28-3/31 Opening Series Preview
It was a perfect start for Voit as he looks to take over the Yankees first base job for years to come.
Masahiro Tanaka finally pitched well on opening day
Masahiro Tanaka’s four carer opening day start finally saw him take home a victory after either losing or taking a no-decision in the three previous starts.
Tanaka’s last opening day start came back in 2017 where he was lit up by the Tampa Bay Rays. Thursday was a much better result for the 30-year-old right-hander as he earned the win after tossing 5.2 innings, allowing one earned run and striking out five.
With Luis Severino unable to make the start Tanka stepped up and gave the Yankees a quality outing which will be critical as he is going to need to be the ace of the Yankees staff for at least the next month.
Greg Bird is still streaky
If it weren’t for the injury to Aaron Hicks Greg Bird may be in Scranton Wilkes Barre. Instead, Bird got to start at first base on opening day and was as streaky as ever.
Bird’s day started with three strikeouts as he was jeered by the Yankee Stadium crowd.
The day, however, would have a happy ending for Bird as he smashed a solo home run into the Yankees bullpen. Hopefully, for Bird and the Yankees, there are far more home runs than strikeouts in 2019.
Adam Ottavino is going to be fun to watch
This offseason the Yankees signed New York City-native and the former Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino to replace the void left by David Robertson.
Today Ottavino made his Yankee debut, and it was a thing of beauty.
For the first time in his carer, Ottavino threw his wipeout slider in Pinstripes as he struck out three Orioles in 1.1 innings of work. His movement almost felt like Mariano Rivera cutter which means Yankees fans have one fun player to watch in #0.
It’s hard not to feel bad for the Orioles
For a casual baseball fan watching today’s game and looking at the Orioles starting lineup, there may have only been one or two players they had ever heard of.
The Orioles rebuild isn’t a normal will be back in three years it’s a complete teardown. The O’s saw 11 players experience their first opening day.
It’s going to be a long year for Baltimore and even though they’re an AL East rival it’s hard not to feel for them and their fan base.