SLYT™ | NYY @ HOU | Game 2 - Kuroda (0-0) vs. Cosart (0-0) | 7:10 CDT | HOU 1-0

The Yankees open the season in Houston tomorrow, so that's where our first Series Long Yankees Thread™ will begin. Unfortunately, I might not be able to update the thread too much this series, because I'll be in Houston for all three games.

The 25-man roster has been set; the only surprising move being Yangervis Solarte over Eduardo Nunez. However, I still would expect Nunez to be a big-time contributor on the team this season.

What is sure to be the first of many ceremonies, the Astros will honor Derek Jeter before the first game on Tuesday. Former Yankee greats Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens are expected to be in attendance, which is an interesting little tidbit. Although he didn't have a good spring statistically at all, Girardi isn't concerned too much about Jeter's ability to be a productive player this season.

The rotation has been set. Tanaka, who was the Yankees' top rookie in camp, will not make his first start until Toronto.

Of course, the Yankees made many other moves this off-season, too, including the additions of Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. Can these two stay healthy and perform well enough to make up for the loss of our beloved Robbie Cano (dontcha know )???

With Beltran as the DH, this leaves Soriano in right field, which should be an adventure, considering he had never played the position until Spring Training 2014. The Yankees are still not 100% sure of his role. How often he will DH? Could he see some action at first base? With the packed outfield, what will be Ichiro's role?

Kelly Johnson, who is excited to be a Yankee, could provide some left-handed power at the bottom of the lineup.

CC Sabathia, who apparently learned to throw a cutter, will look to get back into his old form coming off a very disappointing season in 2013.

Yankees Projected Lineup

Ellsbury CF
Jeter SS
Beltran DH
McCann C
Teixeira 1B
Soriano RF
Gardner LF
Roberts 2B
Johnson 3B

Astros Projected Lineup (Astros Preview on Page 3)

Fowler CF
Grossman LF
Altuve 2B
Castro C
Guzman 1B
Carter DH
Dominguez 3B
Hoes RF
Villar SS


Series pitching match-ups:

Tuesday
LHP CC Sabathia (14-13, 4.78 in 2013)
vs.
RHP Scott Feldman (12-12, 3.86 in 2013)
7:10 p.m. ET; YES Network, MLB Network and WFAN

Wednesday
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (11-13, 3.31)
vs.
RHP Jarred Cosart (1-1, 1.95)
8:10 p.m. ET; YES Network and WFAN

Thursday
RHP Ivan Nova (9-6, 3.10)
vs.
LHP Brett Oberholtzer (4-5, 2.76)
8:10 p.m. ET; YES Network and WFAN