Hiroki Kuroda (1-1, 2.92 ERA) gets his shot at the rival Red Sox and John Lackey (2-0, 1.38 ERA) in game three of four in the Bronx. In the Yankees’ home opener, Kuroda showed signs of his old consistent self. He went 6 1/3 innings giving up two runs on eight hits and it was just enough to get the win. He walked none and struck out four.
Lackey has come out of the gate strong, setting the tone with his fastball. In his last start against Texas, he held them to five hits and a single run over seven innings for the win. In three starts at the new Yankee Stadium, he is 1-1 with a 7.64 ERA.
Whether it’s because of old frail bones or a hole left in the leadoff spot by a “traitor,” neither team has seem to hit their stride. “Of course, I’m definitely surprised, I think we all are,” said Kelly Johnson. “I think we’re doing the best we can to get going. In my opinion, offenses can do this, go up and down, and when it comes, it’s going to come in bunches, and we’ll make up for it.”
“We have some guys that are new to this team that are settling in,” said Red Sox manager John Farrell. “We’ve had some moving parts because of some guys that have been hit with the injury bug. And we’re just trying to get some continuity, particularly in the leadoff spot. We’re trying to settle in one through nine right now.”
With David Robertson still on the DL, Girardi plans on using Shawn Kelley as the primary closer. “I’ll look at where we are in the lineup, but I would lean towards him,” Girardi said.
Notes on the game
The Yanks expect  Mark Teixeira back before May 1st.
The Red Sox are 5-o when leading after five innings.
Red Sox leadoff batters are 8-42 this season.
First pitch at 1:05 PM on Yes and Fox Sports 1
