Bombers Head West (3/31)

The final day of March is upon us, which means April Fool's Day (official holiday of MLB investigations?) is tomorrow, Sox and Indians go at it in the opener Sunday night, and the Yankees-A's start off what we really care about on Monday. At last!

The temps in the metropolitan area are going to be about 17 degrees above normal today, or in the low 70s. Baseball Fever is in full bloom. Before the Yankees head to Oakland there's a quick two game pit-stop in Phoenix to play a series with the Diamondbacks. Now Chase Ballpark since they bought out Bank One (no more "The Bob" - now if they would only rip that pool out). Things weren't so pleasant the last time the Yankees were here. Andy Pettitte was having his head handed to him in Game 5 of the 2001 World Series and Mariano Rivera had a rare meltdown in the spotlight, losing the decisive Game 7 in the bottom of the 9th. But enough about that aberation.

Chien-Ming Wang gets his final spring tuneup, making his first appearance since sustaining a bruised knee against the Tigers. Kevin Jarvis gets the start for the Diamondbacks in a game televised on YES at 8:40 ET.

Barring any changes this should be the Yankees 25-man roster when the real fun begins:

11 Pitchers
Randy Johnson
Mike Mussina
Chien-Ming Wang
Shawn Chacon
Jaret Wright
Mariano Rivera
Kyle Farnsworth
Ron Villone
Mike Myers
Scott Proctor
Tanyon Sturtze

3 Catchers
Jorge Posada
Kelly Stinnett
Wil Nieves

6 Infielders
Jason Giambi
Robinson Cano
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Miguel Cairo
Andy Phillips

5 Outfielders
Hideki Matsui
Johnny Damon
Gary Sheffield
Bernie Williams
Bubba Crosby

Disabled List
Octavio Dotel
Carl Pavano
Aaron Small


Matchups in Oakland

Randy Johnson vs. Barry Zito
Mike Mussina vs. Rich Harden
Chien-Ming Wang vs. Dan Haren