(My Sportsbook) -- CC Sabathia will be seeking atonement from a disappointing debut as a New York Yankee when the high-priced offseason acquisition takes the mound for his new team in tonight's second test of a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals from Kauffman Stadium.

The most coveted hurler among this past year's free-agent class, Sabathia signed a massive seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yankees in December, the largest deal for a pitcher in major league history. The 2007 American League Cy Young winner couldn't quite live up to his advance billing in his debut in pinstripes, however, as he came through with a very shaky outing in New York's Opening Day loss at Baltimore on Monday.

Sabathia lasted just 4 1/3 innings in the 10-5 defeat and surrendered six runs on eight hits. He also walked five and failed to strike out a batter while throwing just 50 of 96 pitches for strikes.

Slow starts are nothing new for the imposing left-hander, however. He lost his first three decisions while with Cleveland last season and went just 1-5 with a subpar 7.51 earned run average over his first seven starts in 2008. Sabathia rebounded to compile a 9-2 record with a splendid 1.56 ERA in 15 games with the Indians and Milwaukee after the All-Star break.

Sabathia posted a 3.54 ERA in three starts against the Royals a year ago, although he went just 1-2 in those games. The 28-year-old does own a 14-10 record with a 3.40 ERA in 31 lifetime starts versus Kansas City, however.

He'll be attempting to lead the Yankees to their third consecutive victory after a pair of losses to the Orioles to begin this season. On Friday, New York spoiled the Royals' 2009 home opener with a 4-1 triumph behind seven strong innings out of Andy Pettitte.

Pettitte limited Kansas City to a run on three hits while striking out six in an excellent season debut. Mariano Rivera came on in the ninth to earn his first save of the year, with the longtime closer fanning a pair of batters in a scoreless frame.

Jorge Posada gave Pettitte all the support he would need with a two-run single in the first innings, while Nick Swisher had an RBI double later in the game.

Former Yankee Sidney Ponson worked six innings in his first start as a Royal, but was saddled with the loss after giving up four runs on six hits.

Mike Jacobs drove in Kansas City's lone run with a second-inning double.

Kansas City, which had a two-game win streak snapped with Friday's setback, will send out Horacio Ramirez to oppose Sabathia tonight. The journeyman left- hander worked exclusively in relief with the Royals and White Sox last season and finished with a 1-4 record and a 4.34 ERA in 32 overall appearances.

Ramirez was last a full-time starter back in 2007, when he won eight games in 20 starts for Seattle but finished with a horrid 7.16 ERA. His best season came as rookie in 2003, when the 29-year-old went 12-4 with a 4.00 ERA with the Atlanta Braves.

He's faced the Yankees five times previously, three as a starter, and has a 2-1 record with a 3.00 ERA lifetime against New York.

These teams split 10 meetings last season, but the Yankees are 22-8 against the Royals since the start of the 2006 campaign. New York has built a 10-4 record at Kauffman Stadium over that span.