Kluber Makes First Spring Start as Indians Host the Reds in Goodyear, the Tribe Starting Nine

Sunday the Indians got their first look at starter Carlos Carrasco, as the Tribe hurler went three innings, allowing a pair of solo homers in the Indians 16-2 win over the Mariners in Peoria.

On offense Sunday the hero was center fielder Oscar Mercado, who went 3-for-3 with a homer (his third of the spring), double, two runs scored and three runs batted in.

Mercado, who was a long shot to make the roster when camp began, is now hitting .444 (12-for-27) with a double, triple, three home runs and eight RBI in 14 Cactus League games.

The rest of the offense was on fire also in putting up 16 runs, and today against the Reds back in Goodyear, the team will try to give fellow starter Corey Kluber that much help in his first start.

The Indians ace will take the mound for the first time today in the 4:10pm first pitch, as he will look to build on his 20 win season of a year ago.

Today’s game can be followed on MLB.com with an audio webcast.

Here’s the starting lineup for the Indians:

Leonys Martin CF
Jason Kipnis 2B
Jose Ramirez 3B
Carlos Santana 1B
Hanley Ramirez DH
Jake Bauers LF
Tyler Naquin RF
Roberto Perez C
Ryan Flaherty SS

Here’s the starting nine for the Redlegs:

#reds lineup vs CLE pic.twitter.com/NXtD1z6fMT

— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) March 11, 2019