CLEVELAND -- The starting nine is set for the Tribe after two months of grueling competition.
Batting lead-off is center fielder Milton Bradley. If he stays healthy, he could have Gold Glove potential.
Veteran Omar Vizquel will bat second. He has a dependable glove at shortstop and must contribute offensively on a daily basis.
A healthy Matt Lawton will bat third. The left fielder hit four home runs this spring, two of which were in a six-RBI performance against Atlanta last week.
Designated hitter Ellis Burks will bat cleanup. Burks, who is entering his 16th season, provides a calming effect for a bunch of young guys. He said during spring training that he's the "dean on campus."
Batting fifth is Karim Garcia. The right fielder must hit around 30 homers to balance the offense.
First baseman Travis Hafner, who beat out Ben Broussard, will have a microscope on his glove.
Third baseman Casey Blake will bat seventh. He batted a blistering .441 during the spring.
Josh Bard will be replacing Einar Diaz behind the plate. He will bat eighth.
Finally, Brandon Phillips will be the third different opening day second baseman in three years.
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Allen Iverson scored 23 points, had four
steals and doled out four assists to lead the Detroit Pistons in a 96-89
comeback win over the Cavaliers, snapping Cleveland's eight-game winning
streak.
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