When & Where To Watch
Today: Coverage on YES & the YES App begins at 3:00 p.m.
Tomorrow: YES & the YES App will have the Postgame Show at approximately 11:00 p.m., following the Yankees and Astros on Apple TV+.
Saturday: YES & the YES App will have the Postgame Show at approximately 10:00 p.m., following the Yankees and Astros on FOX.
Sunday: Coverage on YES & the YES App begins with Yankees Batting Practice Today at 1:00 p.m.
Juan Soto’s Yankees Debut
At last, the time for Juan Soto’s Yankees debut has arrived! Fans have been waiting for this from the moment the Yanks acquired the 25-year-old superstar from San Diego, and Soto did his part to stoke their excitement by hitting .304 with seven extra-base hits, including four home runs, over 46 at-bats during Spring Training. Jumping right into a series against one of the Yanks’ most significant rivals is a perfect way for the former batting champion and three-time All-Star to begin his journey with the Bronx Bombers.
Pinstriped Pulse
The Yankees will start the 2024 season with seven consecutive road games, four in Houston and three in Arizona before they head to the Bronx for their home opener on Friday, April 5, against Toronto. In addition to Soto, some of the Yanks’ top offensive performers in Grapefruit League action were Anthony Rizzo (.389 AVG), Gleyber Torres (.356 AVG) and Anthony Volpe (.314 AVG). On the mound, Luis Gil earned the rotation spot opened by Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury by posting an ERA of 2.87 and striking out 23 batters over 15.2 IP. Clay Holmes looked sharp out of the bullpen, allowing a single earned run over seven appearances, and Ian Hamilton threw 8.1 innings of one-hit ball with 13 strikeouts. The Yanks bolstered their depth yesterday by acquiring the versatile Jon Berti in a three-team trade that involved Miami and Tampa Bay. MLB’s steals leader in 2022, Berti has started games at six positions in his career, including 119 at third base, where he could play a vital role early with DJ LeMahieu out due to a bruised right foot.
How ‘Bout That
Nestor Cortes is going to join a small group when he takes the mound against the Astros this afternoon! Selected by the Yankees in the 2013 MLB Draft, a process that started in 1965, Cortes will become only the fifth pitcher to make an Opening Day start for the Yanks after being drafted by the team and signing with the club to start their professional career. He’ll be the first one to do so since Andy Pettitte in 1998, with the others in the group being Ron Guidry (seven starts), Doc Medich (1975) and Stan Bahnsen (1971). Cole does not count in this group because he didn’t sign with the Yanks after they drafted him in 2008, and it also doesn’t include pitchers like Chien-Ming Wang.
Know The Foe
One of baseball’s hottest rivalries over the last decade, the Yankees and Astros have commanded the sport’s attention on plenty of occasions, including four postseason meetings plus some regular-season matchups that have had the feel of playoff games! Houston remains led by a core that features several homegrown stars, including former MVP and three-time batting champion Jose Altuve, who is heading into his 14th MLB season. Alex Bregman and Jeremy Peña are other key batters who’ve come up through the organization. Elite sluggers Yordan Alvarez and José Abreu, another former MVP, give the Astros two of baseball’s most dangerous power threats, with Abreu seeking a bounce-back year after struggling last year in his first season with Houston. The owner of four MVP and Cy Young Awards combined, Justin Verlander remains with the Astros, but is starting 2024 on the injured list as he rehabs a right shoulder issue
Probable Pitchers
Cortes will make his Opening Day start opposite Framber Valdez, who was one of seven AL pitchers to record 200 strikeouts last season. Carlos Rodón gets the call for the Yankees in Game 2 as he begins his second year as a Yankee. After signing with the Yanks in January, Marcus Stroman will make his team debut when he starts Game 3. Clarke Schmidt is going to take the ball in the series finale, his first opportunity to build off the breakthrough campaign he put together last season.