The Cleveland Indians have identified their opening day starter even before their Spring Training games have officially begun. ESPN baseball writer Jerry Crasnick reported early on Friday morning that Indians Manager Manny Acta officically named right handed starter Justin Masterson his opening day man.
#Indians manager Manny Acta names Justin Masterson the team's Opening Day starter
2011 was Masterson's best season by far since starting his career in 2008 with the Boston Red Sox. Last year he went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA and . It was his first ever season pitching more than 200 innings -- he hit 216 by season's end -- and he did a fine job with it compared to 2010 where he only had 186 innings in the same amount of games. The 26 year old has pitched in 34 games his last two seasons.
Cleveland started strong last season and held onto the division for a good chunk of the season, they'll put the ball in Masterson's hand first as they try to boost on that performance in 2012.
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