Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees-Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs: Game One Preview

The Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees season begins tomorrow close to home. Only about an hour-and-a-half away in the Lehigh Valley, the Scranton Yankees will take on the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in the opening of their defending championship campaign.

The matchup looks like this (thanks to Chad Jennings).

Jason Johnson vs. Kyle Kendrick

Kendrick is a sinkerball pitcher who spent some time at the major league level with Philadelphia, but begins this season with their Triple-A club.

He went 11-9 with a 5.49 ERA before being sent down to Triple-A last year. His previous season was far more successful as he went 10-4 for the Phillies with a 3.87 ERA in 20 starts in 2007.

He’s been deemed a potential “comeback kid” and could be hit or miss. If he does indeed find success, don’t be shocked if you see him at the major league level before season’s end.

Johnson is a 6'6" righty, possessing 221 major league games worth of experience (with Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles).

Last year, he went 1-2 with a 5.22 ERA in 16 games for the Dodgers. It seems likely to me Johnson will spend most of his time in Triple-A unless the Yankees fall upon injuries in the starting rotation and need a spot start from a veteran.

Lehigh is certainly an improved team, but the Scranton Yankees are the current champs and I can’t see the Iron Pigs taking the series against the Yankees.

Let’s take a look at the Yankees offense before we go.

The offense will hold some familiar faces this season in Eric Duncan, Shelley Duncan, and Kei Igawa.

It will also give fans the chance to take a look at a few faces whom you might see in New York as soon as next season in this year’s starting center fielder Austin Jackson. Another Trenton Alumni making the trip to Scranton this year include Zach Kroenke.

Brett Tomko, who just missed out on a job in the Bronx, will be the team's closer this year.

Angel Berroa, fighting to earn a spot on the bench in New York this season, should be at shortstop after losing out to Ramiro Pena for the utility spot in New York. The starting rotation is certainly strong and this should be a team that finds success once again.

Stay tuned for game coverage this season of the Scranton Yankees live from PNC Field.