Five Questions That Will Decide the Indians' Season

Today is the Indians opener against their division rivals the Chicago White Sox. Here are the top five questions that will need to be answered to see how the Indians will do this season.

1. Will Fausto Carmona pitch well and how will the rest of the rotation be?


2. Are young players like Matt LaPorta, Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley ready to step up?


3. When will Grady Sizemore return from injury?


4. How soon will players like Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall be in the Majors?


5. Will Shin Soo-Choo, who is no longer a surprise, be able to carry the team if others fail?

OPENING DAY: TEXAS 9 - CLEVELAND 1

The Cleveland Indians opened their season yesterday against the Texas Rangers. Last year's Cy Young winner Cliff Lee started for the Indians and gave up 7 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings. Former Indian Kevin Millwood started for the Rangers and gave up just 1 run on 5 hits in 7 innings. He also got 10 ground-ball outs. For the Indians, their 5 hits were scattered throughout the game and in big spots both Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner grounded into inning ending double-plays. Last year's breakout player, Kelly Shoppach, went 0-3 with two strikeouts. Newly acquired 3B Mark Derosa went 0-3 with a walk.

Today is an off day for the Indians and tomorrow they send out Fausto Carmona. Hopefully he will show that last year was just an injury-plagued season and that he will bounce back this year.

2009 Cleveland Indians Preview

With the Indian's first Spring Training game starting in a little bit over an hour it's time to take a look at some questions that need to be answered for the Indians to be successful this upcoming season:

1. How will Victor Martinez & Travis Hafner come back from injuries?
2. How will the new acquisitions (Mark DeRosa, Kerry Wood & Carl Pavano) fare with their new teammates?
3. Will Fausto Carmona pitch like he did in 2007?
4. Who will be #3-5 in the pitching staff and how will they do?
5. Will Kelly Schoppach get the at-bats needed to have as good a season as last?
6. Will Trevor Crowe, Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley be able to make an impact on the Major League squad?