The New York Yankees finished up April in first place in the American League East, with a 15-9 record. The Bronx Bombers really were just that, crushing 43 homers in their first 24 games.
Heading into the season, the Yankees had many questions, both in the starting rotation and in terms of everyday players. But New York has to be happy with where they are, although they did catch a big break from Boston and Tampa Bay, who struggled mightily out of the gate.
So let's break down the first real month of baseball in Yankeeland.
The Starting Rotation...
CC Sabathia has been his usual self, posting a 2.25 ERA. However, due to no run support, Sabathia didn't pick up his first win until mid-April. He finished the month with a 2-1 record, striking out 36 batters in 40 innings.
A.J. Burnett may have been the biggest question mark heading into the season. So far so good for Burnett, posting a team-high four wins to go along with a 3.93 ERA. Obviously, new Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild has had a positive effect on the big right-hander.
Phil Hughes was supposed to be the No. 3 starter for the Bombers. After three starts and a 13.94 ERA, Hughes shut it down with what he called a "dead-arm period." Hughes' arm strength is a major concern for the Yankees, as he could barely top 90 mph on the radar gun in any of his starts.
Ivan Nova has been a nice surprise in the early going. He has shown more consistency this season, after making seven up-and-down starts with the Yanks last year. Nova went 1-2 with a 5.82 ERA in April, but has gone deep into games of late.
Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon have been everything the Yankees could have asked for and much more. Garcia went 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA, giving up only four runs in 18 innings. Colon, on the other hand, didn't make the starting rotation when the Yankees broke camp. But, he's been a great fill-in for the sidelined Hughes. The 38-year-old posted a 2-1 record with 2.77 ERA in April.
The Bullpen...
Mariano Rivera has been, well, Mariano Rivera. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer finished March and April with nine saves and 2.13 ERA. Rivera picked up his tenth save of the year in the 5-2 win against the Blue Jays this afternoon.
As for his set-up man, Rafael Soriano, it hasn't been the easiest transition to New York. Soriano is 1-1 with a 6.57 ERA and 2 big blown saves. He's also had a rocky first impression with the New York media, not speaking after games that he has blown.
Joba Chamberlain has shown signs of the old Joba, and David Robertson has been excellent, posting a 1.86 ERA.
The Infield...
Derek Jeter hasn't gotten off to the start that he hoped for, but he has picked it up of late, raising his average to a very an un-Jeter-like .242. The Yankee Captain has collected 23 hits, moving him within 51 of 3,000 for his career.
Mark Teixeira, a perpetual slow-starter, got off to a great start this season. Tex opened the season with homers in each of his first three games. He finished the month of April with six bombs, and hit another one in the win against Toronto this afternoon.
Robinson Cano continued right where he left off last season, in which he finished third in the MVP voting. Cano is tied for the team lead in homers with eight, and leads the Yanks with 21 RBI. Oh, and he's hitting a cool .320. Enough said.
Alex Rodriguez has also gotten off to a good start. A-Rod, who missed a few games in April with the flu, is hitting .274 with five homers and 18 RBI in the early going.
Russell Martin has fit in perfectly with his new teammates, and his production and work ethic have been a big reason why. Martin has played nearly every inning this season, missing only two games. But his bat has been the biggest surprise. The former Dodger is hitting .293 with six homers and 19 RBI.
Jorge Posada hasn't had a smooth transition to his new role, being the team's everyday designated hitter. Posada is hitting just .133 after 75 at-bats. However, his bat hasn't looked slow all the time, connecting on six home runs, including a few late-inning clutch homers that have either tied the game or given the Yankees the lead.
Eric Chavez has been a great addition to the Yankees bench. Chavez has played both first and third base, and has been good defensively. But the Yankees and their fans have been more impressed with his bat. In just 31 at-bats, Chavez is hitting .290, including a game-winning hit earlier in the year.
The Outfield...
Curtis Granderson hit seven home runs in April alone, and added another one today. Granderson's eight home runs make him the leader among center fielders, putting him on pace for 52 dingers.
Brett Gardner has had a rough start to the 2011 season. Gardner is hitting just .200, with only four stolen bases in eight attempts.
And in right field, Nick Swisher has also had a rocky start. Swisher is hitting just .218 with only one home run.
Andruw Jones, like Chavez, has also been a good addition to the Yankees' bench, starting in left field against lefties. Jones, in just 22 at-bats, is hitting .273 with two home runs and 10 RBI.
So that's a look at how the Yankees have started the 2011 Major League Baseball season. The Nose Bleed Seats will be covering the Yankees all season long, as well as, the rest of the sports world.
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