Breaking Tribe News: Carroll to the DL With a Broken Hand
April 6, 2009Lebron James in the Clutch
April 6, 2009Cleveland Indians (0-0) at Texas Rangers (0-0)
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas
Dates/Times (EST): 4/6 2:05 PM, 4/8 8:05 PM, 4/9 2:05 PM
TV/Radio: STO (HD)/WTAM 1100 AM
While I wish that the weather up in Cleveland was a little bit better, you can bet that the Indians are pretty happy to be starting this season on the road; in Texas nonetheless. Though the Phillies and Braves got the season kicked off last night, today marks the opening pitch for the majority of Major League Baseball. And I couldn’t be more excited.
For the next seven months, we’ll get to discuss the team that many have pegged to finish atop the AL Central. After a year that was bruised by injuries across the board last season, the team returns (hopefully) more healthy and ready to make up for lost ground. We won’t have C.C. Sabathia taking the hill on an opening day for the first time in quite a while. Instead, it will by Clifton Phifer Lee, the winner of last year’s Cy Young Award.
If all goes well, we’ll get to see both of our big off-season acquisitions as Mark DeRosa will make his regular season debut. Kerry Wood will undoubtedly get the nod if the Indians find themselves up by a few runs come the ninth inning.
The air in Arlington tends to provide a little added boost. It’s slated to be around 60 degrees this afternoon with winds around 20-25 MPH. It could be an interesting one, but man am I glad that it’s here.
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Probable Pitchers:
4/6 – Cliff Lee (0-0) v. Kevin Millwood (0-0)
4/8 – Fausto Carmona (0-0) v. Vicente Padilla (0-0)
4/9 – Carl Pavano (0-0) v. Brandon McCarthy (0-0)
Probable Starting Lineups:
Cleveland | Texas | |
Grady Sizemore, CF | Ian Kinsler, 2B | |
Mark DeRosa, 3B | Michael Young, 3B | |
Victor Martinez, 1B | Josh Hamilton, CF | |
Travis Hafner, DH | Nelson Cruz, RF | |
Jhonny Peralta, SS | Hank Blalock, DH | |
Shin-Soo Choo, RF | Marlon Byrd, LF | |
Kelly Shoppach, C | Chris Davis, 1B | |
Ben Francisco, LF | Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C | |
Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B | Elvis Andrus, SS |
News and Notes:
– Cliff Lee is coming off of a very rough spring with an ERA of 12.46 and an 0-3 record. If anyone has to prove that spring training means nothing, Lee’s the man.
– As mentioned earlier today, the Tribe have placed Jamey Carroll on the 15-day disabled list with fracture in his hand. Tony Graffanino will take his spot on the active roster, and had a decent spring. However, he’ll likely be behind Josh Barfield on the totem pole.
– Ryan Garko will be the odd man out on opening day as Cliff Lee will have Kelly Shoppach behind the plate. Look for the above lineup to change a bit on Wednesday and Thursday with Victor behind the plate and Garko playing first base.
– Though many of us think that Fausto Carmona will actually wind up being the team’s ace from a win total standpoint, he will serve the final game of his suspension today after getting a five-gamer following the beat down of Gary Sheffield late last season.
– Shin-Soo Choo appears healthy after we were handed a scare earlier in the spring. In his last three spring games, he went 4-for-11 with a home run. Don’t be surprised if Eric Wedge swaps Francisco and Choo in the corners over the first few games to take the pressure off of Choo’s arm with the shorter throws.
– Rangers starter Kevin Millwood is in a contract year. The Rangers can void next year’s payout if he doesn’t reach 180 innings this year. The last time he was in a contract year, he lead the AL in ERA…for the Indians.
– Our old buddy Omar Vizquel had his contract purchased by the Rangers, but with Elvis Andrus the shortstop of the future in Texas, I don’t know if we’ll get to see much of our shortstop of the past.
– And finally, don’t count out the bottom half of Texas’ lineup. Nelson Cruz has some power despite his strikeout rate. Chris Davis should wind up near the top of the order before too long. Kid has 40-home run possibilities. Saltalamacchia was the prize that Texas got in return for their Mark Teixeira trade. The Texas air should be very good to him come July.
From the Outside Looking In:
Postcards From Elysian Fields
Lonestar Ball
Uwe BlogThe Newberg Report
Next Up:
Indians Home Opener
Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Indians
4/10 – 4/12
TV/Radio: WKYC (Fri), STO (Sat, Sun); 1100 AM WTAM
6 Comments
Yawn.
Fine introduction, Scott.
Gee, where has Cliff’s colorful middle name been all this time? It’s the first I’ve heard it. Phifer? That’s got to find its way into the program.
Good preview. I’m jacked for the start of a new season as well!
Go Tribe!
Mekhi Phifer? From ER and 8 Mile?!?!
Better he than Cheddar Bob
ah, finally : )
go tribe!!!