The Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates will get nine innings of ballfield time in Friday as spring training shifts into game mode.
The Indians start the Cactus League against their Goodyear (Ariz.) Ballpark cohabitants, the Cincinnati Reds. First pitch is 3:05 p.m. Terry Francona announced the Indians’ spring debut lineup Thursday. Here it is:
CF Michael Bourn, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B Jason Kipnis, 1B Nick Swisher, LF Michael Brantley, C Carlos Santana, DH Mark Reynolds, 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, RF Drew Stubbs, LHP Giovanni Soto.
The Pirates play their annual intrasquad game at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. Top pitching prospects Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon will start opposite each other. Here are the lineups:
Black (Cole): CF Alex Presley, SS Chase d’Arnaud, LF Jerry Sands, 1B Clint Robinson, DH Brandon Inge, 3B Jared Goedert, 2B Josh Harrison, C Michael McKenry, LF Felix Pie.
Gold (Taillon): LF Starling Marte, RF Jose Tabata, 3B Matt Hague, 1B Gaby Sanchez, DH Brad Hawpe, SS Jordy Mercer, C Tony Sanchez, 2B Ivan De Jesus, CF Darren Ford.
The Pirates open the Grapefruit League season Saturday at the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 p.m.
