Guys, hold a lead

The first game of 2010 is in the books. The results for the Yankees were the same as they were in 2009. Now is a convenient time to mention that the Yankees lost the first two games of the 2009 season, and they lost a bunch at the start of the 1998 season too.

The fan in me wanted this game. The Red Sox and Yankees both improved during the offseason. It's upsetting that the World Champs have to open the season, punished, on the road, at their enemy's house. The fan in me wanted a statement.

The analyst in me saw some good things in a loss. Speaking of that loss, of all the games in the entire season I'm most prepared to see the team lose, it would probably be the season opener, on the road, in Boston. The following 161 games count more than this one.

Beyond the logistics of the game, the offense looked set. Curtis Granderson won my heart with a monster homer in the 2nd and good fielding. Jeter, A-Rod, Posada and Brett Gardner all looked ready for the season to go.

The problem was the bullpen, and CC Sabathia. CC fell apart in the 6th. He was deceptively bad through five. The Red Sox hitters were off balance, but CC lacked control and was often behind in counts. He usually implodes when that happens.

The real culprit, though, was the relief pitching. None of the Yankee relievers looked sharp. Chan Ho Park was awful, giving up a two-run homer to Pedroia and the lead. Damaso Marte couldn't get David Ortiz out. Joba Chamberlain put a lot of runners on and gave up a run. No one stepped up.

If this happened, say, in game 60, after the Yankees and Sox had played a few it would probably be less of a big deal. But, if you're like me, then you've been ravenous for baseball for what feels like ages right now, then this game will be over-analyzed. For my part, I liked what I saw in an otherwise meaningless loss.