Indians Friday Game Thread: Josh Tomlin to start vs. White Sox

The Indians are riding the bus today, as they head out to face the White Sox this afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 ET. The game will be televised through MLB.TV, but with only the Chicago feed available, as STO is not carrying it in Ohio. You can find Cleveland audio via MLB.TV or on WTAM.

Josh Tomlin will start for the Indians, and is scheduled to throw 4 or 5 innings. Tomlin is probably 6th in line for the starting rotation right now, though if Danny Salazar is not ready until a couple weeks into April, Tomlin could crack the top five for the start of the year. Following Tomlin will be Mike Zagurski, Bryan Shaw, David Aardsma, Scott Barnes. Shaw is the only one of those relievers I expect to make the 25-man roster.

Today's starting lineup:

1) Michael Bourn (CF)

2) Asdrubal Cabrera (DH)

3) Jason Kipnis (2B)

4) Michael Brantley (LF)

5) Lonnie Chisenhall (3B)

6) Yan Gomes (C)

7) Jeff Francoeur (RF)

8) David Adams (1B)

9) Elliot Johnson (SS)

My theory is that with the roster spot that was expected to go to Jason Giambi now available for at least the first couple weeks, Johnson is the frontrunner. His positional versatility is part of his appeal, so I'm not surprised to see Francona giving him some work at shortstop.