The Cleveland Indians have played just two Cactus League games this spring, and the weather in Cleveland is much closer to winter than the warmer days to come but the Indians know who they will send to the mound on Opening Day on April 1 against the Chicago White Sox. Fausto Carmona, who pitched two scoreless innings today against the Cincinnati Reds in a 12-0 win, has been named the Opening Day starter for the Indians.
Indians manager Manny Acta made the announcement after today's game.
"That's a good assumption," Acta said with a smile. "Yeah, he's our Opening Day starter. He deserves that."
Carmona is undoubtedly the ace of the Indians staff in 2011, and he's coming off a solid season despite all the troubles the Indians had in 2010. Carmona was 13-14 with a 3.77 ERA last year for an Indians team that lost 93 games.
If Monday is any indication, Carmona is primed for an even bigger 2011. Carmona used just 29 pitches(22 strikes) to motor through the Reds.