New York is expected to send Ivan Nova, CC Sabathia, Freddy Garcia and A.J. Burnett to the mound. Both Nova and Garcia will be making their season debuts, and they are vital to New York’s pennant hopes. The Yanks’ rotation is very thin and they need somebody like Nova or Garcia to step up.

Sabathia is about the only sure thing. He was rock-solid in his season debut against the Tigers, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven batters in six innings of work. Burnett was maligned last season after struggling mightily, but he got off to a solid if unspectacular start last week. The hard-throwing righty pitched through a cold and earned a win after allowing three runs through five innings. Burnett added six strikeouts.

Minnesota is off to a sluggish start after losing its opening series to the Toronto Blue Jays. Pitching was a major concern, as the starters were battered around and forced the bullpen to work several innings.

The Twins are expected to send Scott Baker, Brian Duensing, Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano to the hill. Pavano and Liriano, Minny’s top two starters, were especially disappointing against the Jays. Pavano got the nod in the opener, but he was punished for eight runs (seven earned) in just four innings of work. Twins fans are certainly worrying that last year’s excellent campaign was an aberration.

Liriano’s effort is even more concerning. After struggling with shoulder issues in the spring, the southpaw struggled with control and a reduced velocity against Toronto. He allowed four runs and walked five batters in just 4.1 innings of work.

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