Brett Gardner gets his first start in Centerfield this Spring today. He’s been shagging fly balls and hasn’t needed any extra work in the field so Girardi was able to give some other guys a chance to show what they can do with the glove. But as March 31 gets closer it’s time for everyone to start playing in their regular spots.
By putting Eduardo Nunez second in the order Girardi will maximize his plate appearances today. Nunez is battling with Ramiro Pena, who is at third base today, for the backup middle infielder position. Nunez has been crushing the ball this spring but Pena has the experience. That one is a hard choice for the manager.
Today’s lineup is not the power hitting heart of the order we are used to – although Cano, Montero and Vazquez could very well make up the heart of the order on opening day in 2016 that sends fear into the hearts of pitchers. Just not quite yet.
YANKEESBrett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Russell Martin C
Robinson Cano 2B
Jesus Montero DH
Jorge Vazquez 1B
Ramiro Pena 3B
Justin Maxwell LF
Melky Mesa RF
A.J. Burnett P
For the Nationals today, we’re not seeing Bryce Harper in the starting lineup, although he could make an appearance in later innings. Rick Ankiel is one the best storylines in the game so here’s to hoping he has a great year. The Nats have the pitching to contend once Strasburg comes back, assuming he is the same guy before his surgery, but all of the question marks come in their lineup against the stacked NL East.
NATIONALS
Roger Bernadina CF
Ian Desmond SS
Ryan Zimmerman 3B
Adam LaRoche 1B
Michael Morse LF
Wilson Ramos C
Rick Ankiel DH
Lance Nix RF
Danny Espinosa 2B
John Lannan P
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