The Cleveland Indians could use a win right about now, even if the games do not “count” during spring training. For surely, there is a psychological effect in losing day after day after day, especially for the younger players, who may feel more pressure to win than the veterans, who have been through the spring grind before and know that in a few weeks everyone will be 0-0 again.
This afternoon, the Tribe faces Eric Wedge’s Seattle Mariners. Mitch Talbot gets the start for the Indians in an attempt to follow-up the excellent start from Justin Masterson in yesterday’s loss to the Cubs. That excellent start followed a series of dreadful efforts in the days immediately before. But with Masterson’s perfect three innings with five strikeouts (and some effective relief from Jeanmar Gomez as well) yesterday as a catalyst, perhaps now will be the time when the pitching can get on a roll.
Seattle (7-4 in the Cactus League) will send this lineup in support of Michael Pineda:
1) Josh Wilson® SS
2) Luis Rodriguez (S) 3B
3) Adam Kennedy (L) 1B
4) Jack Cust (L) DH
5) Matt Tuiasosopo® LF
6) Michael Saunders (L) CF
7) Dustin Ackley (L) 2B
8) Chris Gimenez® C
9) Johermyn Chavez® RF
The 4-8 Indians will counter with this lineup:
1) Orlando Cabrera® 2B
2) Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3) Shin-Soo Choo (L) RF
4) Austin Kearns® LF
5) Travis Hafner (L) DH
6) Lonnie Chisenhall (L) 3B
7) Lou Marson® C
8) Jack Hannahan (L) 1B
9) Ezequiel Carrera (L) CF
The Mariners. of course, have — besides ex-Tribe skipper Wedge — an old friend of the Indians in Franklin Gutierrez.
Game time for this afternoon’s contest is 3:05.