C.C. Sabathia went 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA for the Yankees in 2011.
C.C. Sabathia went 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA for the Yankees in 2011. Reuters

After a disappointing end to the 2011 Season, the Yankees are ready to take the field for the first time in 2012.

The Yankees face off with the Rays in Tampa as both teams play their first regular season games of the year. New York sends C.C. Sabathia to the mound against Tampa Bay's James Shields.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET. The game can be seen live streamed here if you purchase MLB.TV.

Sabathia is making his fourth straight opening day start with the Yankees. Shields is coming off his best season as a pro. He went 16-12 with a 2.85 ERA in 2011.

This should be a matchup of two of the best teams in the American League when all is said and done.

Casinos in Las Vegas give New York the best odds to make the World Series out of the AL. Tampa Bay is expected to compete with the Red Sox and Yankees for the AL East title.

The Yankees are very similar to the team they were last year. Their biggest offseason moves were the acquisitions of pitchers Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda will start tomorrow, and Pineda is starting the season on the disabled list.

The Yankees will play their first six games on the road. New York's home opener will be on Apr. 13 against the Angels.