New York Yankees: Predictions for Yankees Opening Weekend

I am starting a weekly article in which I provide some predictions for the New York Yankees' week ahead. The predictions will include the games the Yankees will win and lose, as well as significant statistics.

I want readers to leave their comments on them and make their own predictions. Then after the week, I will go over the predictions made by myself and readers. I'll break them down and compare them to what actually happened.

The Yankees regular season is getting underway, and they will face the Tampa Bay Rays on the road.

We will start with the series against the Rays and here are some predictions for the Yankees opening weekend.

Yankees Start the Season 1-2

The Yankees start the season in Tampa Bay in a three-game series against the Rays.

The AL East is expected to be a battle between the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays. The Yankees will lose two out of the three games in this series against the Rays.

Sabathia Struggles but Gets the Win

CC Sabathia is one of the best pitchers at getting a win, even when he doesn't have his best stuff. That's going to happen in the first game.

Sabathia battles through six innings and gives up five runs and 10 hits. The Yankees will trail early on but take the lead in the fourth or fifth inning. That will allow Sabathia to notch his first win of the season.

Mo Gets His First Save

Mariano Rivera will only make one appearance in this series, and it will be in the first game.

Rivera will come in to get the save in the Yankees only win of the series. He will do it in the easy way we have become accustom to.

Teixeira Doesn't Struggle

Mark Teixeira is famous for starting the season off slow. He usually struggles early on and has to climb out of the hole that he dug himself in. However in this series, he will not struggle.

Teixeira has four hits including a home run. He goes 4-for-9 with a home run and four RBI. 

5 Yankees Hit 5 Home Runs

The Yankees are always among the league leaders in home runs. They have a lineup that's filled with guys who can hit the ball over the fence.

In the series, five different Yankees will hit a home run. Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez and Curtis Granderson will all go deep against the Rays.

Kuroda Loses Pitchers' Duel

The Yankees brought in veteran Hiroki Kuroda to be a stable starter behind Sabathia. His record with the Yankees should improve from when he was with the Dodgers. He will get a loss in his first start with the Yankees, even though he pitched well enough to get a win.

Kuroda goes seven innings, giving up only two runs and six hits. Unfortunately, David Price will be shutting down the Yankees offense.

Jeter Starts off Slow

Although I think Derek Jeter will hit .300 this season, he will get off to a slow start in the opening series against the Rays.

Jeter will go 2-for-11, while driving in only one run. Jeter's outs will be a good sign though. His outs will come from balls that are hit hard but are hit in the wrong places.

Phil Hughes Gets Banged Up

Phil Hughes has made nice strides this spring but will struggle in his first start of the season.

Hughes will go five innings, giving up five runs and eight hits. The Yankees will lose this game, and Hughes will get his first loss of the season.