Opening Day is just around the corner, so here's a look at one of the opponents for this upcoming season.
The Cincinnati Reds will continue their rivalry with the Cleveland Indians starting with a two game series on Memorial Day and another two in the same week. The Reds will host the series on May 27 and 28, but the series moves to Cleveland on the 29 and 30.
Cleveland has not only had the upper hand in the series at 42-39, but has also won nine of the last 13 meetings. Cincinnati has won the last four at Great American Ballpark, but haven't won at Progressive Field since 2010.
The Indians hope that new manager Terry Francona can help them right their teams losing ways as the Tribe haven't had a winning season since 2007. They also brought in Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher and traded center fielder Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati for Drew Stubbs.
Key Additions: Bourn (Atlanta), Swisher (Yankees), Stubbs (Reds), Matt Albers (Diamondbacks), Trevor Bauer (Diamondbacks), Brett Myers (White Sox), Mike Aviles (Red Sox), Mark Reynolds (Orioles)
Key Departures: Travis Hafner (Yankees), Grady Sizemore (Free Agent), Shin-Soo Cho (Reds), Shelley Duncan (Rays), Casey Kotchman (Marlins), Jack Hannahan (Reds), Jason Donald (Reds), Tony Sipp (Diamondbacks), Jeanmar Gomez (Pirates)
Here's what the Indians might look like when the two teams meet in May:
Rotation
1. Justin Masterson (11-15, 4.93 ERA, 159 strikeouts) had a down year from his breakout season in 2011, but he will still be the team's ace and will get the ball on Opening Day.
2. Ubaldo Jimenez (9-17, 5.40 ERA, 143 Ks) continued his decline in the American League as he has just 13 wins in 42 starts with the Tribe with an ERA well over five.
3. Brett Myers (3-8, 3.31 ERA, 41 Ks w/White Sox & Astros) went from closer in Houston, to set up man in Chicago and now will be counted on to be a starter. He is just three wins away from his 100th career victory, but is also seven losses away from 100.
4. Zach McAllister (6-8, 4.24 ERA, 110 Ks) appeared in 22 starts last year and picked up his first MLB win in his first game of the season on May 7.
5. Carlos Carrasco is coming off Tommy John surgery in 2012 and suffered a scary incident during spring training when he took a line drive off his head. In 33 starts with the Indians he is 10-15 with a 4.88 ERA.
6. Corey Kluber/Trevor Bauer-These two young arms will battle for any available openings this season. Kluber has more big league experience with 12 starts last season, but Bauer has a tremendous upside as one the Indians top prospects. The Indians also have veterans Scott Kazmir and Daisuke Matsuzaka signed to minor league deals.
Bullpen
Blake Wood appeared in 106 games with the Royals from 2010-11, but didn't make an appearance in the major's last season.
Joe Smith (7-4, 2.96 ERA, 53 Ks) had 21 holds for the Indians last season and appeared in 72 games.
Bryan Shaw (1-6, 3.49 ERA, 41 Ks w/Diamondbacks) appeared in 64 games last season and had two saves and ten holds for Arizona.
Vinnie Pestano (3-3, 2.57 ERA, 76 Ks) was one of the Indians best middle men as he had 36 holds in 70 appearances.
David Huff (3-1, 3.38 ERA, 19 Ks) started four games last year for the Tribe and 52 throughout his career, but with an already full rotation he'll be headed to the bullpen.
Frank Herrmann (0-0, 2.33 ERA, 14 Ks) appeared in just 15 games for the Indians last season.
Nick Hagadone (1-0, 6.39 ERA, 26 Ks) notched his first career save, but a rising ERA saw him sent down in July.
Scott Barnes (0-0, 4.26 ERA, 16 Ks) is a young left hander who got his first taste of major league action at the end of the season.
Matt Albers (3-1, 2.39 ERA, 44 Ks w/ Diamondbacks & Red Sox) turned in arguably his best season to date as he set lows in ERA and WHIP (1.13) and also a career high 63 appearances.
Cody Allen (0-1, 3.72 ERA, 27 Ks) much like Barnes got a taste of the big league at the end of the season.
Chris Perez (0-4, 3.59 ERA, 59 Ks, 39 saves) will miss the first few weeks of the season with an injury, but hopes to make it three straight years of 36 saves or more.
Lineup
C. Carlos Santana (143 games, .252 avg, 18 HR, 76 RBI) raised his average and cut his strikeouts by 32, but had a power letdown after hitting 27 round trippers in 2011.
1B. Nick Swisher (148 games, .272 avg, 24 HR, 93 RBI w/Yankees) returns to his home state after four years with the Yankees. He's coming off one his better seasons offensively and will be spending time at first after playing a majority of his career in the outfield.
2B. Jason Kipnis (152 games, .257 avg, 14 HR, 76 RBI) played in his first full season and showed his promise both offensively and defensively.
3B. Lonnie Chisenhall (43 games, .268 avg, 5 HR, 16 RBI) will get a chance to start at third base, but if he struggles then newly added Mike Aviles could cut into his playing time.
SS. Asdrubal Cabrera (143 games, .270 avg, 16 HR, 68 RBI) didn't quite match his breakout 2011 performance of 25 homers and 92 RBI, but Cabrera also drew more walks and had fewer strikeouts last season to go with 35 doubles.
LF. Michael Brantley (149 games, .288 avg, 6 HR, 60 RBI) saw improvements across the board and at one point had a 22-game hit streak.
CF. Michael Bourn (155 games,.274 avg, 9 HR, 52 RBI w/Braves) adds speed at the top of the lineup and will remind fans of former Indians great, Kenny Lofton. Bourn had 42 steals last year and has 276 for his career.
RF. Drew Stubbs (136 games, .213 avg, 14 HR, 40 RBI w/Reds) is hoping to return to his 2010 form when he had 22 homers and drove in 77 while stealing 30 bases. Stubbs has swiped at least 30 the last two seasons in Cincinnati, but has watched his average and on-base percentage plummet.
DH. Mark Reynolds (135 games, .221 avg, 23 HR, 69 RBI w/Orioles) is an interesting choice as a DH because he strike out a lot (averages 187 per year) and has a dismal average, he packs some pop with 181 career homers and 501 RBI.
Bench:
C. Lou Marson (70 games, .226 avg, 0 HR, 13 RBI)
C. Yan Gomes (43 games, .204 avg, 4 HR, 13 RBI w/Blue Jays)
IF. Mike Aviles (136 games, .250 avg, 13 HR, 60 RBI w/Red Sox)
2B. Cord Phelps (14 games, .212 avg, HR, 5 RBI)
SS. Juan Diaz (5 games, .267 avg)
OF. Ezequiel Carrera (48 games, .272 avg., 2 HR, 11 RBI)
DH. Jason Giambi (60 games, .225 avg, HR, 8 RBI w/Rockies)
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