YankeesChat Recap: April 10, 2017

It was Opening Day in the Bronx on Monday as the Bombers took the Rays to task with an 8-1 victory. For us, YankeesChat was in gear as usual as we recapped the game, the news and what we can look forward to as the season continues. For those who are still unfamiliar, YankeesChat is a weekly Twitter conversation hosted by yours truly from the Bronx Pinstripes account. It starts every Monday night at 9pm (unless otherwise noted). There, I will pose questions and concerns for all of you to respond to. We try to promote interaction between all, so we strongly encourage everyone to use the hashtag on your tweets to be seen. Those tweets that stand out will be featured on these weekly recaps as you will see in just a few moments. As the season grows there will be more topics to cover and more debates to discuss, but for this home opener, we focused on the results as well as the tough injury news the team announced today. To see how last night's chat went down, keep on reading. Pineda's Bid At Perfection

Q1: With an impressive 6 & 2/3 innings of perfect baseball, has Michael Pineda finally turned the corner? Can he be relied on? #YankeesChat

— Bronx Pinstripes (@BronxPinstripes) April 11, 2017

The Bronx Faithful was treated to a splendid outing from Pineda on Monday as the hurler took perfection into the 7th inning before surrendering a double to Evan Longoria. Retiring the first 20 batters in the game and finishing with 11 strikeouts and no walks, is this the Pineda of the future?

@BronxPinstripes To early to say but if he consistently executes the changeup into his arsenal like he did today he will only get better #YankeesChat — ©HOOPOTLE (@choopdog_) April 11, 2017

@BronxPinstripes Pineda has the stuff to go on runs like that. Maybe back to back good starts will start a positive trend for him? #yankeeschat

— Frankie Bordone (@frankieb137) April 11, 2017

@BronxPinstripes Once he continues to do this then yeah but right now no he can't be relied on. #YankeesChat — George (@Valiuz) April 11, 2017

Maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves by saying Pineda has definitely turned the corner, but his performance on Monday was a huge step in the right direction. If he can get first strikes on hitters (which he did 15 times in the first 18 batters he faced) he will be able to control the count and confuse opponents as he did Monday. Consistency is the key for Pineda; he is only as good as his next start. Offense Clicking!

Q2- The @Yankees offense busted open today. Who has impressed you the most after 7 games? Headley? Torreyes? Holliday? Judge? #YankeesChat

— Bronx Pinstripes (@BronxPinstripes) April 11, 2017

The Yankees offense busted the game open with five runs in the eighth inning, en route to scoring eight runs overall on the day. Chase Headley, Aaron Judge & Starlin Castro all hit homers to pace the Bombers' offense. With one full week in the books, we looked to find who has been the most impressive thus far.

@BronxPinstripes @Yankees Judge. Of the 3, the expectations have not been growing in anticipation. Any contributions from Torreyes are great. #YankeesChat — Ryan N (@adakannayr) April 11, 2017

@BronxPinstripes @Yankees Torreyes' RBIs have been super surprising, but I think it's worth noting Holliday's .533 OBP. Can't ask for more than that. #YankeesChat

— Evan Rappé (@EvanRappe) April 11, 2017

@BronxPinstripes @Yankees I expected Holliday to do what he has. Headley I didn't at all so I'd go with him. As much as I hate to say it. Lol #YankeesChat — David Coghlan (@DCoghlan3) April 11, 2017

It's a great sign that there can be so many names included on the list of "most impressive". Other people threw out Jacoby Ellsbury & Brett Gardner and their aggressiveness on the bases, but the names that kept popping up in the chat were Ronald Torreyes, Chase Headley & Aaron Judge. With the season in such an infant stage, there are a lot of positives for the Yankees offense to focus on when thinking about growth and future potential throughout this season. Sanchez's Replacement?

Q3- With the news of Gary Sanchez being out for a month, should the team call on a veteran, or roll with Romine & Higgy? #YankeesChat

— Bronx Pinstripes (@BronxPinstripes) April 11, 2017

It was reported today that Gary Sanchez will be out for a month with a bicep injury. Even with the Yankees offense coming into form, losing their centerpiece is a big loss. We took to the universe to see where the team should turn in their search for his replacement.

@BronxPinstripes Roll with Romine. He's paid his dues. Any offense is a plus. He calls a great game. #yankeeschat — neko soto (@nekosoto) April 11, 2017

@BronxPinstripes Roll with Romine and Higgy. Romine had a terrific game plan with Pineda today. Looks like he maybe Mike's catcher #YankeesChat

— Mark Shull (@mshull05) April 11, 2017

@BronxPinstripes #yankeeschat 100% get Romine more familiar with the pitchers and give him some more opportunities at the plate. He kept Pineda in it today — Noctis (@natetheegraet) April 11, 2017

It looks as though mostly everyone thinks the in-house options of Austin Romine and Kyle Higashioka while Sanchez in on the shelf. There were no calls for looking for a veteran signal caller, which is a sign of how times have changed within the organization. Fans are fully on board with the youth movement and have embraced the idea of young, up-and-coming players making a name for themselves in the Majors, rather than sitting in the minors for a chance. Home Sweet Home

Q4- If you went to the Stadium today, what were the best new features? Those who plan to go, what are you looking forward too? #YankeesChat

— Bronx Pinstripes (@BronxPinstripes) April 11, 2017

Speaking of change, there have been numerous additions, renovations and upgrades to Yankee Stadium for 2017. Party decks, playgrounds and new food and drink options make the Stadium a must-see venue. Here's a dose of what fans are looking forward to seeing when they visit the Bronx.

@BronxPinstripes Love the terraces in left and right, dislike how the beer kept running out every time I went up to get one! #yankeeschat — Jack Farrington™ (@Farrington231) April 11, 2017

@BronxPinstripes walking around the stadium and seeing all the new features #yankeeschat

— EpicNYY/ NJD (@CoolYanksFan) April 11, 2017

@BronxPinstripes Im really hoping to go June 10th and getting to meet @Andrew_Rotondi and @ScottReinen #YankeesChat — Miguel Gaspar (@miguel_2514) April 11, 2017

Heading to the Stadium means something different for everyone, whether it's for the food, the people, the product on the field or the environment and excitement, it is a special occasion. If you have the chance to make it to the game this season, do it. Go and have a blast! Eat all you can eat. Drink responsibly. And cheer on the Bomber like you've never cheered before. We're all fans trying to enjoy our favorite team as best we can. That is why YankeesChat exists- for all of us to talk about the happenings of our favorite team. Be sure to join us every Monday night at 9pm and use the hashtag #YankeesChat so you can join the conversation. If there is any topic you'd like to see discussed on a chat, be sure to send me a message at @Jtmac21 and I'll be sure to include it so you can see if your fellow fans agree with your take, or have any thoughts you may have overlooked. So until next Monday night at 9pm, go Yanks!