Yankees Win Opening Day Game

The Yankees beat the Tigers, 6-3 on Opening Day.  There are a few very positive signs for the 2011 Yankees already.

Curtis Granderson started off the 2011 MLB season in style.  Granderson made a great diving catch in the 1st inning.  He also hit a go-ahead home run in the 7th inning to put the Yanks on top, 4-3.  For a guy who seemed like he was heading to the DL with an oblique injury, that's a great start.

Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer off of Justin Verlander in the 3rd inning to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead.  Teixeira is a notoriously slow starter.  If he can get off to a good start in April, that will mean only good things for the Yankees.

One of the most positive signs was the bullpen.  The Yankees didn't allow a walk, hit, or run in the late innings.  Joba Chamberlain owned the 7th.  Rafael Soriano did his thing in the 8th, and Mariano Rivera shut down the Tigers in the 9th.

Joba, Soriano, and Mo each struck out a batter.  None of them even allowed a baserunner.  The true question will be whether the starting rotation can be consistent enough to get to the bullpen with a lead.  If the starting rotation can do its job, you have to feel very confident about the Yankees' bullpen.