Spring Training Game 15: Tigers at Yankees

By: Gavin Ewbank | Lead Writer

We've seen a lot of impressive outings from Yankees starters this spring, but if had to pitch one, I'd say that Hiroki Kuroda has been the most impressive. He takes the mound in Tampa today as the Yankees host the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Kuroda is making his third start of the spring after a pair of solid outings to start his exhibition season.

His last start was Friday, also against the Tigers; he started the game in front of Michael Pineda, who was making his spring debut that night. Kuroda only gave up one hit, while striking out five and walking one.

Kuroda being Kuroda has said after both starts that he's not where he wants to be, which is understandable. He's pitching well, but if your pitching well in spring training that just means it can get better.

The Yankees will need Kuroda, 39, to be good this year -- for the entire season. As you probably know, he was their best pitcher until the final six weeks of the season when he broke down and could help give the Yankees the final push they needed to get into the playoffs.

Today's lineup vs Detroit:

Today's lineup vs DET: Ichiro 7, Jeter 6, Beltran 9, Soriano DH, Johnson 5, Roberts 4, Cervelli 2, Canzler 3, Williams 8, Kuroda 1.
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank) March 12, 2014

Ichiro Suzuki will lead it off for the Yankees today. If I had to bet on it, I'd say that the Yankees might be trying to showcase Ichiro for a trade, because we all know that there is no room for him on the roster, and I'm sure they would rather carry an extra infield with the concerns in that area.

Since the Yankees are at home, Derek Jeter is back in the lineup playing shortstop today. He looked really good in the field, mobility-wise, in his last game on Sunday.

Today’s second string: C Austin Romine, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Zelous Wheeler, SS Dean Anna, 3B Jose Pirela, LF Yangervis Solarte, CF Antoan Richardson, RF Adonis Garcia, DH John Ryan Murphy.

Today’s scheduled relievers: Shawn Kelley, Jose Campos, Robert Coello, Yoshinori Tateyama, Fred Lewis.

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