Quick Hit: The Yankees Lineup This Afternoon

The New York Yankees welcome Mark Teixeira back to the team today and back into the lineup so what better time to take a look at who should be in that lineup today. Keep in mind that New York is facing Cesar Ramos, a left handed pitcher, so the lineup should be pretty right handed heavy. Let's take a look:

Jacoby Ellsbury

Derek Jeter

Carlos Beltran

Alfonso Soriano

Brian McCann

Mark Teixeira

Yangervis Solarte

Brett Gardner

Brian Roberts

I wanted to find a spot for Kelly Johnson, who hits lefties as well as he does righties, but found it hard to take out either of Roberts or Solarte. New York could always get creative and send Solarte to DH, Soriano to left field, insert Johnson at third base, and have Gardner come off the bench. The binder would never say that though...

This Day In New York Yankees History 4/20

On this day in 1912, after two days of rain, the first ever game is finally played at Fenway Park in Boston. Of course the first game in the historic stadium was with the New York Highlanders, soon to be the Yankees, and a Red Sox victory 7-6 in 11 innings.

On this day in 1988 Claudell Washington hit the Yankees 10,000th home run in franchise history as a pinch hitter. This total was the most in the major leagues and came off Minnesota's pitcher Jeff Reardon in the top of the ninth inning in a Yankees victory.

By the way, whose idea was it to hold a pot heads holiday on the same day as a children's holiday that has candy, sugar, and big meals are prepared? A genius, that's who. I personally do not smoke, and never have, but from a marketing aspect they kind of nailed it, no?

Nova unsurprisingly bad as Rays blowout Yankees

Ivan Nova gave up 8 earned runs in 4+ innings and the offense mustered just 3 hits against Tampa Bay starter Chris Archer tonight as the Yankees were blown out by the Rays, 16-1. After facing two batters in this one's fifth inning, Nova left due to a currently unknown injury, something that's still pretty irrelevant to the fact that 6 (2 solo, 2 two-run) of those 8 trips around the bases came on homers. 

Anyway, the Pinstripes offense, as I just stated, really struggled this evening, collecting just 2 singles from Alfonso Soriano and Jacoby Ellsbury and a run-scoring double from Kelly Johnson. That double, unfortunately, was the highlight of the night for this team, who has now given up at least 10 runs for two consecutive games.

Back to Nova for a second, I'll admit I'm tired of him. Every once in a while he's good, but still, at the end of the day he's nothing but another Phil Hughes. He has potential that he'll never use, making me, and probably many other Yankees fans, believe than Vidal Nuno or David Phelps would simply help the team more. They wouldn't be perfect, but come on, I'm right on this. All you guys might not realize it now, but trust me, eventually you will.

Dean Anna Making His Major League Pitching Debut

The Yankees are getting thumped tonight by the Tampa Bay Rays, 14-1 as I type this out, and Joe Girardi is getting desperate for pitching. So desperate that Dean Anna is making his major league debut as a pitcher for the New York Yankees. What a night. That's all I've got.

Ivan Nova Leaves Game In 5th w/ Elbow Soreness

UPDATE: The official word with why Nova left the game is elbow soreness. Stay tuned.

Ivan Nova has left his start against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 5th inning after throwing just 82 pitches due to some sort of unreleased injury. Nova had not been sharp all night and gave up four home runs including a couple two run home runs to the Rays. Joe Girardi came out and talked to Nova and you could clearly see Nova trying to make his case to stay in the game but Girardi did not hear what he wanted to obviously and brought in Matt Daley.

Stay tuned as we will bring you an update when it is available.

Game Thread: Yankees @ Rays 4/19

Tonight the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays play Game Three of their four game set this weekend at Tropicana Field in St. Pete. The Yankees will send Ivan Nova to the mound to face off with the always tough Chris Archer for the Rays. The game will be on television at 7:10 pm ET on the YES Network, on the computer with MLB TV, and on the radio with WFAN.

If you are looking for more Yankees discussion or news follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes or drop us a line in our comments section. We have a very laid back and mature group of guys commenting daily on the blog and it is really enjoyable to talk Yankees baseball when they are not on the field. Also you can buy all your Yankees tickets right here without leaving the blog so be sure to check that out.

Enjoy the game and enjoy the rest of your weekend Yankees family. Hopefully the Easter bunny will be good to everyone tomorrow morning.

Introducing Mr. Ivan Super(man) Nova... Meme

Ivan Nova looking to be super once again tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays. Here are some good vibes for the young right hander. Go Nova!

Scott Sizemore Has A Minor League Option Left

Scott Sizemore confirms he has an option remaining. Could come into play when Teixeira is activated tomorrow. Dean Anna also has an option.
— Lohud Yankees Blog (@LoHudYankees) April 19, 2014

Scott Sizemore confirmed himself that he has a minor league option remaining which makes him the likeliest of players to be sent down to AAA when Mark Teixeira returns off the disabled list tomorrow. Dean Anna also has a minor league option remaining but Anna can play shortstop and Sizemore can't and that may be the straw that breaks the camels back.

Since Sizemore was called up before his May 1st opt out date those opt out dates disappear so no worries of losing him. His August 1st opt out date also goes by the wayside with his contract being purchased earlier in the week.

Preview: New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays 4/19

The New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays will play their third game of this four game series at Tropicana Field this weekend tonight. A night game at the Trop has all the makings of no one showing up, even with the Yankees as a draw for the home crowd. The Yankees will send Ivan Nova to the mound to face off with Chris Archer for the Rays at 7:10 pm ET. The game can be seen on television on the YES network, on the computer with MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Nova looks to be super again after holding the Red Sox to two runs and eight hits over 7.1 IP and a victory last time out. Nova is 6-4 with a 2.86 ERA in 13 career games against the Rays but is just 2-1 with an mediocre 4.56 ERA in five career games in Tropicana Field.

Archer is coming off his worst start of the young season after he gave up 12 hits on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles for his first loss. Archer has been a Yankee Killer in his career though with a 3-0 record with a 1.23 ERA against the Yankees last season. This is a much different and improved offense this time around so hopefully the Yankees can plate enough runners to get another victory.

Go Yankees!!

Comparing Robinson Cano To His Replacements

Not smiling now, are ya?

Okay, who is ready to have a little bit of fun with some small sample sizes mixed in with some hot and slow starts for various players around the league? When I say various players around the league I mean how smart the New York Yankees look less than three weeks into the season for letting Robinson Cano go and for signing the likes of Dean Anna, Scott Sizemore, Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts, and Yangervis Solarte. It's early so don't put much into these numbers but it is still interesting to look at while we wait for the game tonight.

WAR - Wins Above Replacement Player:

Dean Anna - 0.1
Scott Sizemore -  -0.1
Kelly Johnson - 0.4
Brian Roberts - 0.2
Yangervis Solarte - 0.4

Combined 1.0 WAR for New York

Robinson Cano - 0.1

Salary:

Dean Anna - $500,000
Scott Sizemore - $500,000
Kelly Johnson - $3,000,000
Brian Roberts - $2,000,000
Yangervis Solarte - $500,000

Combined $6.5 million in salary for New York

Robinson Cano - $24,000,000