NYY @ BAL
|STAR|Felix Pie gets the start in left field on Wednesday night after sitting against CC Sabathia in the opener. Pie will rarely -- if ever -- play against southpaws this season. The interesting thing to watch here is whether or not he can get on base enough to utilize his speed. The rebuilding Orioles are expected to be patient with him, but 2009 is his audition. If Pie doesn't hit, he'll be fourth or fifth outfielder fodder and a failed former top prospect to boot.
|STAR|Melvin Mora is dealing with a sore hamstring, but he's in the initial lineup and manager Dave Trembley may be able to use him in the DH spot a few days to get him back to 100 percent.
|STAR|Chien-ming Wang makes his season debut for the Yankees while Koji Uehara is making his MLB debut on Wednesday night. Plenty of folks are focusing on the Sabathia/Burnett/Teixeira offseason, but having Wang healthy and back in their rotation will go a long way toward determining whether or not the Yankees get back to the playoffs this season.
|STAR| As for Uehara, major league hitters haven't seen much of him yet and the Orioles are going to need him to solidify the front end of the rotation with Jeremy Guthrie since Alfredo Simon, Mark Hendrickson and Adam Eaton are currently rounding out the final three spots until the farmhands are ready to start taking over.
DET @ TOR
|STAR| Brandon Lyon trashed an excellent start from Edwin Jackson on Tuesday night, leaving Zach Miner on the hill to try and keep the Tigers from an 0-3 beginning to 2009. As much as I wouldn't want to put a lot of stock in Miner, he's been very good in his career against the Blue Jays (1.62 ERA) and Toronto starter Jesse Litsch wasn't sharp last time out.
TAM @ BOS
|STAR|Rocco Baldelli will start in right field against lefty Scott Kazmir. J.D. Drew will ride the pine on Wednesday night.
NYM @ CIN
|STAR|Willy Taveras will miss his second straight game with the flu. Jerry Hairston Jr. is starting in center field for the Reds on Wednedsay night.
|STAR|Edinson Volquez against Mike Pelfrey in this one. Did Pelfrey turn the corner in the second half 2008? Perhaps his September fade was just the byproduct of a heavy workload, but I'm not convinced that Pelfrey is a good "complete breakout" option after taking a 55+ hike in innings pitched. If his improved command last season isn't legit, he's going to get crushed this season.
CLE @ TEX
|STAR|Chris Davis was dealing with knee tendinitis earlier this spring. The upside is very high, but that's the type of chronic ailment that is certainly worth keeping an eye on.
|STAR|Is this really the year that Nelson Cruz makes the leap and produces for a full season at the big league level? The Rangers still have a logjam in their outfield, so the leash could be short again if he slumps. It's hard not to like anyone getting the chance to bat clean-up in that park.
|STAR|How long will Travis Hafner be allowed to bat clean-up for the Tribe? I'll set the over/under at May 1. Discuss.
CHC @ HOU
|STAR|Geovany Soto is only available in an emergency situation for the Cubs on Wednesday. The current plan is for him to try and return on Friday in Milwaukee -- the Cubs are off on Thursday. Koyie Hill gets the start in his place on Wednesday night.
|STAR|Mike Fontenot got a chance against Wandy Rodriguez on Tuesday night and went 0-for-4, but manager Lou Piniella is going to give him some early opportunities to start against southpaws this season. If he doesn't end up sharing time with Aaron Miles, you could definitely do worse at second base or the middle infield spot.
|STAR|Yes, Brian Moehler is the Astros' No. 3 starter, although the Astros are likely just putting a righty between Moehler and No. 4 Mike Hampton. The sad thing about Houston, however, is that they don't really have much in the pipeline as far as major league ready starters go. Brandon Backe would have been let go by most other clubs, but he'll likely get another look in that rotation if he's healthy enough to make it back in the coming weeks.
SEA @ MIN
|STAR|Joe Mauer appears to be making progress in his rehab -- he'll take batting practice in Fort Myers on Wednesday -- but the real test will come when he's able to run. Once that happens, he may not be that far away from a return. If Mike Redmond ends up on the DL, the Twins will be razor thin behind the plate (Jose Morales & Drew Butera) in the meantime.
|STAR|Memo to Delmon Young: With five players rotating through four spots, 0-for-4's won't help your cause. I'm on the side that says too much was expected from him too soon and the Twins should be a little bit more patient. We'll have to keep a very close eye on how manager Rod Gardenhire decides to split up the at-bats. There are worse situations than five players and four spots, so don't write off a productive season since injuries will eventually solve that numbers game.
|STAR|Carlos Silva is one of the few starters I'd rank below Jeff Suppan on my cheat sheet. Brutal.
PIT @ STL
|STAR|Does Tony La Russa gave Jason Motte another shot to close if the situation arises on Wednesday night? As the MLB Network crew suggested on Monday, he's got to throw something to keep opposing hitters from sitting on the high-90's fastball like the Pirates did on Opening Day.
|STAR|Am I crazy for wanting to see a healthy dose of Colby Rasmus and David Freese for the Cards?
|STAR|Zach Duke had a nice spring, but four homers in 28.0 IP and his punching-bag status over the last three seasons requires a turnaround in the neighborhood of one very good month during the regular season before I'll even think about picking him up in a very deep league for $1. Sadly, his career peak happened in 2005 and useable fantasy numbers are pretty much an afterthought now -- career .307 BAA.
KC @ CHW
|STAR|Dewayne Wise leads off again for the White Sox. He'll continue to get those opportunities against right-handed staters. Chris Getz is getting another game in the No. 2 hole after going 2-for-4 there on Tuesday.
|STAR|Fortunately for Zack Grienke owners, the Kyle Farnsworth gas can outing of the week happened following a Gil Meche start. Farnsie's contract was the everyday equivalent of paying $3 for a can of Diet Coke.
LA @ SD
|STAR|It will be interesting to see if the Dodgers plan on running with Orlando Hudson a lot this season. He's already swiped two bags in the first two games after swiping just 14 in his previous 246 games. Hudson has only had double-digit steals once his career (10 with Arizona in 2007).
|STAR|Padres starter Walter Silva would also rank below Suppan in the bottom portion of my starting pitcher cheat sheet. He'll challenge Alfredo Simon and Moehler for the unheralded title of worst No. 3 starter in the league this season.
OAK @ LAA
|STAR|Matt Hollidayshould return to the lineup on Wednesday night after staying at the team hotel with an illness on Tuesday. We'll try to get confirmation on the site before game time.
|STAR|Nick Adenhart has a higher upside than Dustin Moseley and Shane Loux...hopefully for the Halos' sake, the skills will begin to translate sooner than later. Kelvim Escobar's progress has finally slowed recently, so there should be at least one regular spot for this trio with John Lackey and Ervin Santana also on the DL.
MIL @ SF
|STAR|The Big Unit makes his San Francisco debut against Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo. Both of these guys can significantly outproduce their draft position if they're able to stay healthy. Obviously, Gallardo is the much better bet given the fluky nature of his torn ACL last season and Johnson's combination of age and a wonky back. A good matchup for the West Coast folks and night owls, nonetheless.
|STAR|Milwaukee was very active on the basepaths on Tuesday against Bengie Molina and company (4-for-4). Manager Ken Macha said to expect a similar aggressiveness going forward. Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, Ryan Braun and Mike Cameron are all threats to rack up 20-plus steals this season.