After a very busy and expensive offseason, the entire roster that GM Brian Cashman put together will be ready on opening day at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Saturday’s spring training finale against the Miami Marlins had all the opening day starters penciled in together for the first time this spring, but the game was canceled due to rain. If you looked closely at the lineup card you might of noticed that manager Joe Girardi had Brett Gardner batting in the seven hole. Why you ask? Well according to Girardi it’s because Gardner is able to bat anywhere in the lineup.
“He’s a guy that we feel we could hit anywhere in the top or anywhere down to give some speed. He had a pretty good year offensively last year, and that’s where we decided to put him.” says Girardi. Gardner batting seventh gives him the chance to steal more bases and be more of a threat early on in the game. With a little power batting behind him in Kelly Johnson and Brian Roberts, it gives the two of them more RBI chances.
Gardner is a true wildcard wherever he bats. In a long 162 game season, I’m sure we could see Gardner potentially batting all over the place. But at least for now Gardner will start the season in the seven hole. Here’s tomorrow’s lineup.
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Derek Jeter SS
Carlos Beltran RF
Brian McCann C
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alfonso Soriano DH
Brett Gardner LF
Brian Roberts 2B
Kelly Johnson 3B
