The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Bieber says team will prove skeptics wrong
Ace says team continues to win each season; Chang, Luplow getting starting lineup spots
Here’s hoping you filled out a card predicting the Indians’ opening day lineup and you did it in pencil.
Here’s hoping if at the start of spring training you filled out a card predicting the Indians’ opening day lineup you did it in pencil.
Jake Bauers and Bobby Bradley battled throughout the Cactus League season to be the Indians first baseman, but Yu Chang will get the start on April 1 in Detroit in the season opener, manager Terry Francona announced on March 31. First pitch at Comerica Park is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. The forecast calls for a frosty 32 degrees.
And the center fielder? It won’t be Oscar Mercado or Bradley Zimmer. They’re both starting the season at the alternate site in Columbus. It won’t be Ben Gamel, as Francona hinted when Zimmer was sent down last week, nor will it be Amed Rosario, the converted shortstop trying to learn a new position on the fly. Rosario is improving as an outfielder, but he isn’t ready.
Jordan Luplow is the last man standing in center. He and Chang are starting in part because the Tigers are starting left-hander Matthew Boyd.
Luplow and are righthanded hitters. Gamel and Bauers bat left-handed. Bradley also bats lefthanded. But he was sent to Columbus when the Indians decided Bauers won the first base battle.
Francona said he and his coaches started grooming Chang to start at first over the last week of the exhibition season. Chang earned a roster spot as a utility player after hitting .282 with four home runs and 10 RBI in 39 at bats in 18 Cactus League games.
“The way he’s swinging the bat, he deserves a chance to play some,” Francona said March 31 on a Zoom call from Detroit. “Against a lefty it seems to make sense.
“I think he went from a kid to a man. Even when you watch him in his uniform, he’s stronger, he’s more agile, he’s more sure of himself. Are there going to be hiccups? I don’t know. There usually are. But he’s situated to handle things better than he has in the past. You watch him at the plate, he looks confident. I just think he’s maturing and growing up.”
Chang and Luplow are the only surprises in the opening day lineup. Roberto Perez will catch, Cesar Hernandez will be at second, Andres Gimenez at shortstop, Jose Ramirez at third, Eddie Rosario in left and Josh Naylor will be in right field.
Reigning Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber is the Tribe’s opening day starter for the second straight year. His performance in the first game of 2020 foreshadowed what was to come. He pitched six shutout innings against the Royals, allowed four hits, walked one and struck out 14 Kansas City batters.
“It’s something I don’t take lightly,” Bieber said on Zoom from Detroit. “It’s an honor. It’s a privilege. I’m excited to shoulder that and take the opportunity to get the team off on the right foot.”
Bieber is the leader of the pitching staff and, with Francisco Lindor now a New York Met, one of the leaders of the entire team.
Bieber knows skeptics expect the Indians to stumble without Lindor, Carlos Santana (Royals) and Carlos Carrasco (Mets). He says this team will prove those skeptics wrong when all is said and done.
“We’re the Cleveland Indians,” Bieber said with a touch of defiance in his voice. “For the last couple years, that’s kind of been the theme. We continue to win. We continue to battle. That’s the mantra and culture of this organization.
“We believe in what we’re doing here. Everybody believes in each other. Guys have been putting the work in to get to this point and showcase their skills. We’re confident we’re going to do that.”
ESPN has the Indians 18th in their preseason power rankings, ahead of the Royals (22nd) and Tigers (27th) but behind the Twins (sixth) and White Sox (seventh) in the American League Central. Bleacher Report has the Indians 16th, also ahead of the Royals (24th) and Tigers (27th) and behind the White Sox (fifth) and Twins (eighth).