It’s Opening Day at Progressive Field! Naturally the weather is less than ideal, but as of this minute, the rain seems to have gone away, and it looks like the game will get underway at 3:05 PM as scheduled. Of course, having said that, there’s a good chance it could be pouring by now. Let’s hope not!
I wasn’t lucky enough to be able to get tickets to the game, but I will be watching it at a sports bar in the suburbs, keeping warm and dry. Given my choice, though, I’d rather be out at the ballpark.
Here are the starting lineups:
Twins
1. Brian Dozier 2B
2. Joe Mauer 1B
3. Josh Willingham LF
4. Chris Colabello DH
5. Trevor Plouffe 3B
6. Oswaldo Arcia RF
7. Kurt Suzuki C
8. Aaron Hicks CF
9. Pedro Florimon SS
Mike Pelfrey, P
Indians
1. Nyjer Morgan CF
2. Nick Swisher 1B
3. Jason Kipnis 2B
4. Carlos Santana 3B
5. Michael Brantley LF
6. Asdrubal Cabrera SS
7. David Murphy RF
8. Yan Gomes C
9. Lonnie Chisenhall DH
Danny Salazar, P
Feel free to weigh in with your comments. I’ll have a game recap later on. Go Tribe!
I like our lineup today.
#FreeLonnie2014
Not trying to knock Lonnie (or Tito/Front Office), but I’ve always felt it was a sign of a problem which needs to be addressed when your DH bats that low in the order. I agree that it’s a good lineup given the current structure of the team, but boy, a nice pure power hitter somewhere in the middle of that order would look mighty nice. I guess I’m not used to the musical-DH plan.
SI had an interesting article about power hitters in their most recent article. Basically, there’s a huge shortage of power hitters in the pipeline, both in the minors all the way down to the high school level.
They say that there’s a limited number of tall, strong kids who want to play baseball. Years ago, most of these guys would play in the outfield and become right handed power hitters. Now, with the prevalence of radar guns everywhere, many of these guys are being trained to throw fastballs instead of hitting. It’s a lot easier to simply turn on a radar gun than it is for pro scouts to accurately judge a hitter’s ability. So, there are a ton of right handed pitchers who can throw really hard, but very few power hitters.
Between the end of the steroid era and the radar guns, runs scored per game is on the decline, and probably will continue to do so. The idea of the power hitter may be something that’s not a given anymore – but in return, we may see eventually see 100 mph fastballs on every team.
we’re not a “power hitter” team. RBI by committee. if i had a crack at it, i would swap lonnie for murphy. in fact…i would much more comfortable dropping murphy off the lineup and sticking raburn out there in RF. murphy is essentially swinging at every pitch thrown!!
You just had to mention that the rain has stopped, didn’t you?
Just teasing :/
Based on the radar, it looks like there’s one more storm line coming through, then hopefully the game can start at 4:30ish (that’s my guess at least).
Radar says it’s clear. Play ball!!
And we’re underway at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario!
salazar and these HRs……8 innings to go! lets make these twinkies pay!
the upper half of the strike zone appears to be changing on a pitch by pitch basis.
unfortunately it doesn’t matter for us…this offense is just anemic!!
cabrera has never seen a pitch he didn’t want to pop up.
Swisher apparently didn’t get the word that we’re supposed to wait until the 9th inning to take the lead. 😀
mastery of lesser lights o’ the Central continues….let’s hope the Detroit piece improves a bit in the 14 campaign….
April 15th – I’ve had that date circled on my calendar. That series – on the road no less – will be a real test for this team.
wow, just saw highlights of Swish’s dinger…he looked like Thome on that one as he got ahold of it…and the spelling out O-H-I-O? wow! too much!! i would have loved to have been there (in a parka, natch)…hope someone saw live.
great game…are these guys resilient or what
Salazar wasn’t sharp, but he showed poise and grit. And our bullpen is looking good. Now lets see Carrasco take it to the next level!