Fans Optimistic As Yankees Kick Off Baseball In The Bronx

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- It's Opening Day in the Bronx and this year has high expectations.

Even with the defending champion Red Sox in their division, the Yankees are the favorites in Vegas to win it all.

From @wcbs880 #Chopper880: Logos in place on the field, bunting hung from the rafters, #YankeeStadium is ready for #OpeningDay ; 03.28.19; @Yankees; #NYC; #PlayBall pic.twitter.com/HZTG216MSS

— Tom Kaminski (@TomKaminskiWCBS) March 28, 2019

Fans are optimistic.

"Hopefully, they can put it all together this year," one fan said.

"World Series or bust, baby. That's the only way to go," another fan said.

Covering the cross town rivals for #OpeningDay @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/3qJbxz4Xfz

— Mack Rosenberg (@MackRosenberg) March 28, 2019

Last year, it looked bleak on Opening Day, literally, with snow postponing the game. This year, blue skies and a light breeze were a welcome sight for the 2019 season.

"Hey, if it's Opening Day and it's not snowing, it's not raining, it's not sleeting, it's a great day and we took the 1917 old replica train, so it's just an awesome day," one fan said.

"The feeling on Opening Day is fantastic, I'm 69 years old this is my first Opening Day. I've been to a World Series clincher but never Opening Day so I'm psyched," another fan said.

The Yankees are hosting Baltimore with Masahiro Tanaka on the mound. 

It's the first time since 2016 the Yankees open their season at home.

The Pinstripes are wearing black armbands this season to honor former pitching coach and left-hander Mel Stottlemyre, who died in January.