A sure sign that spring training is almost over: The final spring starts for each pitcher in the rotation. Today, Fausto Carmona takes the mound against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Arizona, five days before he throws the first pitch of the 2011 season in Cleveland against the White Sox.
Cleveland comes in having lost their last two games, and sitting dead-even at 13-13 in the Cactus League. The Dodgers, ancient and bitter enemy of the Tribe’s opponent last night — the Giants — are 13-18 in spring action.
The Tribe will begin the 4:05 game with these starters:
1) Michael Brantley (L) CF
2) Jayson Nix® 3B
3) Shin-Soo Choo (L) RF
4) Carlos Santana (S) C
5) Travis Hafner (L) DH
6) Austin Kearns® LF
7) Matt LaPorta® 1B
8) Luis Valbuena (L) 2B
9) Adam Everett® SS
Los Angeles will trot out this lineup in support of Chad Billingsley:
1) Aaron Miles (S) 3B
2) Ivan De Jesus® 2B
3) Andre Ethier (L) RF
4) Matt Kemp® CF
5) James Loney (L) 1B
6) Xavier Paul (L) LF
7) A.J. Ellis® C
8) Jamey Carroll® SS
9) Chad Billingsley® P
The Dodgers will open their season on Thursday — a day earlier than the Indians — when they host the Giants.