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Game Thread for the Indians' Cactus League opener

BASE-BALL! BASE-BALL! BASE-BALL!

Christian Petersen

The Indians kick off their 2014 Cactus League schedule this afternoon at 3:05 ET, facing their Goodyear Ballpark roommates, the Reds.

Trevor Bauer will start for the Tribe, but will likely only throw one inning. He'll be followed by Aaron Harang, Nick Hagadone, Colt Hynes, T.J. House, C.C. Lee, J.C. Ramirez, and Preston Guilmet. Bauer and Harang are each fighting for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Hagadone, Hynes, and Lee all have a reasonable shot at making the 25-man roster for Opening Day.

Alfredo Simon will start for Cincinnati. Other pitchers expected to play for them today are Lee Hyde, Chad Rogers, Tim Crabbe, Curtis Partch, Pedro Beato, and Trevor Bell. I'm not familiar with most of those guys, but it appears new Reds skipper Bryan Price is looking to get a look at some of the guys competing for the final spot or two on the roster.

The scheduled starting lineup for the Indians:

1) Nyjer Morgan (CF)

2) Asdrubal Cabrera (SS)

3) Jason Kipnis (2B)

4) Lonnie Chisenhall (3B)

5) Ryan Raburn (LF)

6) Yan Gomes (C)

7) Jeff Francoeur (RF)

8) David Cooper (1B)

9) David Adams (DH)

Nick Swisher won't be in the lineup for a few days, but Michael Bourn and Carlos Santana are both expected to play on Thursday, with Santana getting the start at third base, something many of us are keen to get a look at.

The scheduled starting lineup for the Reds:

1) Billy Hamilton (CF)

2) Brandon Phillips (2B)

3) Joey Votto (1B)

4) Jay Bruce (RF)

5) Ryan Ludwick (LF)

6) Todd Frazier (3B)

7) Zack Cozart (SS)

8) Devin Mesoraco (C)

9) Brayan Pena (DH)

Bauer will be facing some legitimate competition in the first inning. What are the odds he walks Votto???

The game will be telecast live on STO and MLB.tv, and will also be played on a tape delay on the MLB Network at 5:00 ET today.

If you're watching, be sure to let others know how guys look (we'll trust that you're an expert scout). If you can't watch, check the comments for updates from those who can.