NEW YORK — The Blue Jays are currently being introduced and taking their respective places along the third-base chalk line. The tarp came off the field about 45 minutes ago and it’s game on — finally. And so the 2008 season begins for Toronto, which has an early test against the Bronx Bombers.

“We’ve put out some competitive teams,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before the game. “But we haven’t done enough to get over the top. Until you take that step, it’s really beating your head against the wall just talking about it. Sooner or later, you’ve got to do it.”

Well, they’ve talked the talk. Will they walk the walk?

Matt Stairs is still out of the lineup, but Gibbons said the outfielder is available off the bench and could play tomorrow, if needed. Still no update on the Alex Rios contract talks. That’s it for right now for the pregame. I have to try to remember how to write a game story…

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO (0-0) at NEW YORK (0-0)
at 1:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium

BLUE JAYS
David Eckstein, SS
Shannon Stewart, LF
Alex Rios, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Frank Thomas, DH
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Aaron Hill, 2B
Marco Scutaro, 3B
Gregg Zaun, C

PITCHING: RHP Roy Halladay

YANKEES
Johnny Damon, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Jason Giambi, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Jorge Posada, C
Hideki Matsui, DH
Mekly Cabrera, CF

PITCHING: RHP Chien-Ming Wang