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March 30, 2013NBA News: Kyrie Irving could return soon
March 30, 2013With Opening Day just days away, the Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes reports that Tribe manager Terry Francona has announced his initial Indians lineup:
- CF Michael Bourn (L)
- SS Asdrubal Cabrera (S)
- 2B Jason Kipnis (L)
- 1B Nick Swisher (S)
- LF Michael Brantley (L)
- C Carlos Santana (S)
- DH Mark Reynolds (R)
- 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (L)
- RF Drew Stubbs (R)
The 2013 lineup is varied and versatile. There’s some speed and there’s some power. There’s never a run of lefty or righty hitters and Francona has the switch hitters spread throughout the lineup.
It’s quite a different look than the 2012 Opening Day lineup. There’s only four holdovers from 2012 and of those four (Cabrera, Santana, Kipnis and Brantley), only Asdrubal is in the same spot.
The Indians open the season this Tuesday, April 2nd against Toronto Blue Jays at 7:05 in the Rogers Centre. Justin Masterson will start his second straight season opener for the Indians and will go against former Mets’ knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.
11 Comments
Like Brantley at 5 and moving Santana down to 6. Solid opening day lineup.
Love that lineup! Hope they can produce!
Now there’s a lineup to look forward to watching for the next 162 games (and when some of these guys are taking a break, AViles, GIambi, and RAburn should be more than adequate replacements). No superstars by any means but solid and versatile from top to bottom. Great mix of speed and power throughout. Most importantly, it’s a lineup that an opposing team’s left handed starter can’t sleepwalk through. Really looking forward to what BRantley and SAntana will do in the 5 and 6 spots, too; I can see one or even both having breakout years. The only criticism I can think of is having the high-K guys–Reynolds, STubbs, and BOurn bunched together in the 7-8-9-1 portion of the order.
Santana is the best hitter on the team. Why do you (and francona) want to push him back.
Because he hasn’t shown he’s the best hitter in the lineup
only concern is the possible strikeout trio hitting 6-8. Kind of a boom or bust group. Reynolds is known for his strikeouts and santana and lonnie have streaks of striking out a lot too. Hope it doesnt kill innings
Sick. This lineup should be better than we’ve seen in some years. Here’s to fingers crossed on the pitching. ..
I hate to pat myself on the back(I don’t actually), but I totally called this lineup the night we signed Bourn. Then Franona used in early in the spring and said he liked it. I’m pumped for this lineup. When a lefty is on the mound, he won’t face two in a row,and if a righty is on the mound, he also won’t face two in a row. it’s staggered well, and I love MB at 5. Also like Stubbs at 9, get speed on base for the top of the lineup. Even do a few hit and runs with Bourn.
Just gotta cut down on the Ks
Stubby at 9 strikes out more than any one player on the roster(maybe not Reynolds, but it’s close). He’s the biggest concern.
The power potential in the bottom third of the lineup has to be the best in MLB. Reynolds, Chisenhall, and Stubbs should combine to hit 60 bombs or more. Of course, they’ll also strike out a ton, but at least they won’t be doing it in the middle of the order.
Because we dont know how to properly value batting average, right?
Swisher is the only comparable bat, and Santana is entering his prime as Swisher is exiting his. Im not sure how you pick anyone else.