Indians and Reds face off in Thursday's Cactus League action

Indians "@" Reds

Thursday, April 2, 2015 @ 3:05 ET

TV: none

Radio: MLB.com (Cincinnati broadcast)

-

I feel like MLB.TV has abandoned the Indians. Guess I'll have to find something else to do with my afternoon.

Zach McAllister will start for the Indians. As you know, he's been named to the starting rotation, and deservedly so, considering that he's pitched better than anyone else in camp this spring. He'll be opposed by right-hander Mike Leake for Cincinnati.

Today's Indians starting lineup:

1. Mike Aviles (3B)
2. David Murphy (DH)
3. Michael Brantley (LF)
4. Carlos Santana (1B)
5. Brandon Moss (RF)
6. Roberto Perez (C)
7. Clint Frazier (CF)
8. Ryan Rohlinger (SS)
9. Michael Martinez (2B)

It's nice to daydream about those three being the starting outfielders come midseason 2016. (Yes, I know Clint Frazier has almost no chance of being ready that soon, that's why I'm just daydreaming!)

In other baseball news of note to Tribe fans:

Justin Verlander (and reliever Bruce Rondon) will begin the 2015 season on the DL for Detroit.

Verlander has never been on the DL before, but a strained triceps still hasn't healed. It's possible he'll only miss one start, but that remains to be seen. He isn't the pitcher he was a couple years ago, but he's still a lot better than whomever will make any starts in his place.