Bobby Abreu and Chris Wilson make their Yankee debuts tonight as the Yanks begin a three-game series at home against the third-place Blue Jays. Since taking two of three from the Yankees in Toronto a little over a week ago, the Jays have gone 2-5 on a West Coast swing against the Mariners and A’s, dropping their post-Hillenbrand record to 4-6. The Blue Jays did not make a deadline deal, but they did get Alexis Rios back in the line-up this past Friday only to go 1-2 against the A’s over the weekend.

As far as the starting pitchers go, tonight’s game is a rematch of the opening game of that last series, which the Blue Jays won 7-3 behind a strong performance by A.J. Burnett (7 1/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K), while beating up on Jaret Wright (2 2/3 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 2 K). Burnett followed that outing by getting rocked by the M’s for six runs (five earned) on ten hits over four innings in his next turn. Wright, meanwhile, gve up four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk in Texas in his last outing.

Myself, I can’t wait to see the new Yankees decked out in their home pinstripes, regardless of the outcome, this is a banner night for Yankee fans.

Toronto Blue Jays

2006 Record: 57-48 (.543)
2006 Pythagorean Record: 58-47 (.549)

Manager: John Gibbons
General Manager: J.P. Riccardi

Home Ballpark (2005 Park Factors): Rogers Centre (102/102)

Who’s Replaced Whom?

• Alexis Rios (DL) replaces Chad Mottola (minors)
• Ryan Roberts (minors) replaces Russ Adams (minors)
• Dustin McGowan (minors) replaces Casey Janssen (minors)

Current Roster:

1B – Lyle Overbay (L)
2B – Aaron Hill (R)
SS – John McDonald (R)
3B – Troy Glaus (R)
C – Bengie Molina (R)
RF – Alexis Rios (R)
CF – Vernon Wells (R)
LF – Reed Johnson (R)
DH – Frank Catalanotto (L)

Bench:

S – Gregg Zaun (C)
L – Erik Hinske (UT)
R – Jason Phillips (C/1B)
R – Ryan Roberts (IF)

Rotation:

R – Roy Halladay
R – A.J. Burnett
L – Ted Lilly
R – Shaun Marcum
R – Dustin McGowan

Bullpen:

L – B.J. Ryan
R – Justin Speier
L – Scott Schoeneweis
L – Scott Downs
L – Brian Tallet
R – Brandon League
R – Jeremy Accardo

DL: L – Gustavo Chacin, R – Pete Walker

Typical Lineup:

R – Reed Johnson (LF)
L – Frank Catalanotto (DH)
R – Vernon Wells (CF)
R – Troy Glaus (3B)
L – Lyle Overbay (1B)
R – Alexis Rios (RF)
R – Bengie Molina (C)
R – Aaron Hill (2B)
R – John McDonald (SS)