The team with the most Indian presence, Puerto Rico, opened up action on Friday against Spain with Mike Aviles starting at shortstop.In the first inning, Aviles knocked in team Puerto Rico's second run with a sacrifice fly that scored Alex Rios. He also later walked and stole a base in the game that Puerto Rico won 3-0.

Although their were no Indians involved, a few other games took place including another Pool D surprise. This time team Italy destroyed Canada, forcing a 10 run mercy in the 8th inning. Nick Punto had a big day at lead off for Italy and the previously unknown Chris Colabello provided all the power, hitting the games only home run and knocking in four of their 14 runs. Colabello is currently a AA player in the Twins organization. With the win, team Italy is just one win away from advancing to the next round.

On the other side of the world, the second round of play has begun, with Japan beating Chinese Taipei in extra innings and the Netherlands getting an unexpected win against the heavily favorited team Cuba. The second round of the WBC is a double elimination round so Cuba will have to win their next two games to advance.

Saturday will see another full slate of games with five matches scheduled. Chinese Taipei will take on Cuba in a loser goes home match in Japan. The powerful Dominican Republic team will face off against newcomer Spain as Puerto Rico will play Venezeula, rounding out Pool C. Canada will be playing Mexico and the United States will face off against the upstart Italians.

Sergio Romo and Adrian Gonzalez look to lead Mexico to the next round against Canada.

Approximately 44,000 screaming Mexicans packed Chase field as the United States took on team Mexico in round one of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. All the star power (with the exception of Adrian Gonzalez and Sergio Romo) was on the American side, but the fans and final score went to Mexico. 

US starter R.A. Dickey struggled early, especially when trying to throw his knuckleball. The choice for the team USA ace was an odd one after all, considering all the first round games will be played in a dome, where there is little wind to make the knuckler dance. Mexican starter Yovani Gallardo had no such problems and was dominant through three innings.

Overall, almost every pitcher struggled with control and impatience is what really killed team USA. On separate occasions, both Brandon Phillips and Joe Mauer swung at balls far out of the strike zone while in a hitter's count. Situations like these went far to kill many chances at a rally as the Americans stranded eight runners while scoring just twice.

The Indians lone representative in the game was dynamic reliever, Vinnie Pestano. He was forced to warm up early as Dickey struggled and was ready in the bullpen by the fourth inning. After Dickey recovered, Twins reliever Glen Perkins threw the fifth and Pestano was used in the sixth. Vinnie threw the first perfect inning of the game for the US and struck out a batter, using just nine pitches after throwing considerably more than that warming up in the bullpen. Luke Gregerson (San Diego) continued his trend and retired team Mexico in order during the next inning as well.

As a team, the United States roster looked great defensively, average on the mound and a little behind at the plate. They will face upstart team Italy in tomorrow night's game and will need to improve significantly over tonight's effort if they want to win that game and move on to the next round.

One of the more exciting moments for team USA was when ex-Indian Karim Garcia missed two consecutive plays in the outfield.

The video is terrible, but if you turn your speakers up you can get an idea of the crowd noise. This was the final at bat of the game. This was the loudest sporting event I've ever been to.

Tonight, the American World Baseball Classic team will take on Mexico in their first game (and the third game overall) of round one in Pool D. First baseman, Adrian Gonzalez is Mexico's lone superstar setting up what should be a fairly easy win for team USA. The timing of the game will aid the U.S. even more as the American's ace, knuckle-baller, R.A. Dickey will be going against the second best starter for Mexico. Mexico already lost their first game in a surprise finish against team Italy.

Mark Teixeira was a late scratch for the tournament, but even without him team USA is offensively stacked with perennial All-Stars Brandon Phillips, David Wright, Jimmy Rollins, Joe Mauer and former NL MVP Ryan Braun. Ben Zobrist and Giancarlo Stanton may not have been around as long as some of those other players, but will likely be two of the best offensive producers on the team.

With Chris Perez out with shoulder soreness, Vinnie Pestano will remain the only representive from the Cleveland Indians on team USA. He should be considered the set-up man as Craig Kimbrel is expected to close. Heath Bell and Glen Perkins round out the big names in the bullpen.

Today saw the first games of the Western side of the World Baseball Classic with Mexico taking a surprising loss against team Italia and the Dominican Republic showing their dominance against team Venezuela. The latter match featured the first two Indians to play in this year's classic. The wildness inherent in these early round games featuring low level pitchers was evident in the two Tribesmen's results. Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera combined for six walks and two runs scored. Santana had the lion's share of the walks and now leads all WBC players (including those from the Eastern series that have already played three games) with four.

Santana played the entire game as the Dominican Republic's starting catcher while Cabrera played DH with Elvis Andrus taking the start at short. Andrus and Cabrera will likely split time in the field for the rest of the series while Santana will probably get a day off against either Puerto Rico or Spain. This game marks the first time this Spring either player has stayed in a game past the 5th inning so some care is warranted by their country teams.

Tomorrow, Mike Aviles and Giovanny Soto will play their first game for team Puerto Rico against Spain while Canada and the USA will open up against Italy and Mexico respectively. Puerto Rico is essentially in a must win situation to start the series as both the Dominican Republic and Venezuela are expected to get at least 2 wins, meaning Puerto Rico must win against Spain and one of the other two juggernauts just to hope for tie.

The Indians second week (2/28-3/5) started out a little less impressively than the first with a 10-0 loss to the Texas Rangers. More bad news came shortly after as Chris Perez hurt his shoulder and will miss the rest of Spring Training (for the second season in a row). Frank Herrmann is also out for the remainder of the Spring, virtually eliminating him from bullpen consideration. He may miss the entire season if surgery is needed to repair his elbow.

The next few games saw the Indians offense return scoring 35 runs over the next five games. Mike McDade deserves another mention this week as he has outplayed all his competition for the corner infield bench spot. So far in March he has batted .455 in five games, knocking in three runs. If the competition for the last bench spot is truly a fair competition, McDade should easily beat out Jason Giambi (0/11 this Spring) and Chris McGuiness (.111 AVG in ten games). His 9 RBI this Spring lead the team.

The Indians should also be excited about the known starters heating up as well. Nick Swisher (.875 AVG in March) has caught on fire this past week with 6 RBI in his last 8 at bats as has Lonnie Chisenhall with 5 RBI of his own. Jason Kipnis started off slow this Spring bat has batted over .300 the past week and looks to be getting into regular season form.

Five starting pitchers have made their third appearance this Spring with Trevor Bauer standing out as best right now. He has given up just four hits in seven innings and only two earned runs. It probably won't matter how he performs this Spring overall as Terry Francona likely has already decided where he will start the regular season. Scott Kazmir and Daisuke Matsuzaka have also both pitched well to this point, leading to a stiff competition for the Indians final open rotation spot.

The next week will see Vinnie Pestano, Carlos Santana, Asdrubal Cabrera, Mike Aviles, Giovanni Soto, special instructor Carlos Baerga and MiLB manager Edwin Rodriguez leave camp for the World Baseball Classic. All except Pestano will be traveling to Puerto Rico to compete in division C where Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Spain and the home club, Puerto Rico. The first round in Japan has already ended with team Brazil (sans Yan Gomes) finished 0-3. These players leaving will allow the Indians to give more at bats to players like Gomes and Lou Marson to help decide the final positional battles.

Asdrubal is leaving, but McDade is still here.

According to Yahoo! sports, Tribe closer Chris Perez could be sidelined anywhere between 3-4 weeks because of a strained shoulder. He will not throw for the next week to 10 days. 

Perez pitched an inning Tuesday during a 4-1 loss to Kansas City and felt pain in the shoulder Thursday. He said the injury is not as serious as the strain he suffered last spring to a muscle on his left side in his first bullpen session on Feb 23.

Dale Mitchell had one of the best timed careers of any Indian, joining the team in 1946, just in time to have the prime of his career line up with the Indians last World Series win in 1948. He then joined Larry Doby, Jim Hegan and Al Rosen as the only hitters to play in both the 1948 and 1954 Series.

During his prime (1948-1953), Mitchell was among the best in the league, making multiple All-Star teams and garnering MVP votes year after year. In 1949 he had an especially good year, leading the league in hits (his second straight year with 200 hits) and triples. His 23 triples that year remain among the top five seasons ever for an Indians hitter. In total, Mitchell played over a decade with the team and ranks among the Indians greatest left fielders of all time.

Mitchell was a call-back to former Indians short stop Joe Sewell, as he was almost impossible to strike out. In his worst season, Mitchell struck out 21 times in 1950 and never had more strike outs than doubles in any season. In his 11 year career, he struck out just 119 times a number that Indians strike out king Jim Thome broke in each of his last seven seasons in Cleveland. Overall, Mitchell ranks 15th all time in hits for the Indians, while ranking 183rd in total strike outs. In all of baseball history, he ranks 14th in AB/SO behind two other former Indians, Sewell and Homer Summa.

After two poor seasons in 1954 and 1955 and the start to another in 1956, the Indians sold the left fielder to the Brooklyn Dodgers. After spending his only 19 games played for another team, Mitchell retired. After retirement, he moved back to his home state of Oklahoma where he died in 1987 at the age of 65.

The 2013 Cleveland Indians outfield will be the most different part of the team when compared to 2012. Shin-Soo Choo, who has been the starting right fielder since 2008 has been traded to Cincinnati, making Asdrubal Cabrera the longest tenured starter on the Indians (at shortstop since 2009). The left fielder will also be new as the three main left fielders from 2012 (Johnny Damon [retired], Shelley Duncan [Rays] and Aaron Cunningham [Rangers]) have all been released.

This makes the only remaining outfielder Michael Brantley, but he will not be returning to center field. The Indians made a huge splash in the free agent market just before camp opened, signing former Atlanta Brave centerfielder Michael Bourne to be the new centerfielder. Also in the Choo trade the Indians acquired new outfielder Drew Stubbs from the Reds. Stubbs will be playing his fifth season and has never played anywhere but centerfield. He has a tendency to strike out (leading the NL in 2011), but provides a constant steal threat.

Brantley had his best season in 2012, knocking in 60 and batting .288, both far above his previous career highs. For defensive purposes, the Indians would probably be best suited to use Brantley in left with Stubbs in right because of the difference in arm strength. All three outfielders are similar players but they do have significant differences. Stubbs has the most power, but the worst average and the highest tendency to strike out. Brantley is in the middle as far as power goes, but is the only one of the three who doesn't strike out constantly and knows how to take a walk. Bourne is the best baserunner and the only one of the three to ever win a Gold Glove or attend an All-Star game. 

The biggest improvement in the outfield this year will be speed. Replacing the old and slow left fielders with Stubbs is essentially adding 30 steals a season and Bourne can be expected to steal at least 40 more bases than Choo would have. Defensively the outfield will look completely different as well with no more bumbling and stumbling in left. With these three speedsters in the outfield there should be a significant decrease in fly balls hitting the ground.

The reserve outfielder is likely to be the same as in 2011 and 2012, Ezequiel Carrera. He is incredibly fast and generally good with the glove, although he does have a tendency to lose himself from time to time. While the Indians have a few other outfield options, none are as ready as Carrera. One other intriguing option is former Indian Ben Francisco, who is returning as a Spring Training invitee. Rule five pick Chris McGuiness is another possibility although he hasn't actually played outfield yet. The Tribe could carry two outfielders, using Mike Aviles as the back-up at every infield position, especially if they keep a corner outfielder/infielder like McGuiness. The team flexibility will be as good as it gets with four outfielders on the roster who can play any outfield position and another who can play first base as well as right field. Even Mike Aviles, who will be the utility infielder can play outfield in a pinch. This will leave Terry Francona free to maneuver in game with pinch hitters/runners without worrying about a defensive replacement being available.

Brantley will have to get used to a new position and new teammates in 2013.

If there is one thing that defines the Cleveland Indians as a franchise over the past 110 years it is their tremendous starting pitching. By far more starting pitchers than any other position have made it into the Hall of Fame as Indians. Over the history of the franchise, the Indians have had three Cy Young award winners and Cy Young himself play for the team, but only two of those four pitchers will make this list of the top ten Indians aces.

Of the top ten aces in Indians history, five are already in the Hall of Fame and one is not eligible yet. These pitchers are strike out champions, World Series winners and the pitcher who leads all Major League baseball in WHIP (and is second in ERA). While some of the positions covered in these lists are relatively new (like the closer and DH), this particular positional history spans the entire history of the franchise. This will be the last top ten list for the 2012-13 offseason, so enjoy the top ten aces in Cleveland Indians history.

10. Wes Ferrell - Years as Ace - 1930-1932

Ferrell is a borderline pitcher on this list for two reasons. First, he only lead the rotation for three years, but this was a larger percentage of his time on the team than any of the players listed as a starter, but not an ace.  Secondly, he ranks last among those listed in both WHIP and BAA, while ranking second to last in ERA despite playing in the dead ball era.

9. C.C. Sabathia - 2002-2007

Sabathia culminated his time as Cleveland's ace with his most impressive feat, winning the 2007 Cy Young Award. That year he set career highs in wins (19) and ERA (3.21) and finally became the pitcher he was expected to be since his rookie year in 2001. During his time with the team, Sabathia struck out over 1,200 batters and won more than 100 games as well, both which rank among the best in Indians history.

8. Vean Gregg - 1911-1913

If there is one name on this list that Indians fans might not recognize it would be Gregg, but he deserves a little recognition for his time as the ace of the Cleveland Indians. While he did pitch less than 1,000 innings with Cleveland, he has a better winning percentage than any Indians pitcher with more than 580 innings pitched. He also ranks in the top five in ERA. Gregg took over the team after Joss died, providing a very smooth transition to when Coveleski took over.

7. Early Wynn - 1951-54, 1957

Wynn is the first Hall of Famer on the list, making it for his contributions to the White Sox as well as the Indians. Wynn struck out more than 1,200 batters and won more than 160 games as well during his time in Cleveland. He was part of an impressive string of aces, taking over for Feller and pitching around Score. Most impressively, Wynn was the ace in a rotation that included Feller, Bob Lemon and Mike Garcia, two Hall of Famers and another great young starter.

6. Herb Score - 1955-1956

Those who think that the best pitcher is the one with the most wins and strike outs won't like a couple of pitchers on this list and Score is one of them. However, there is more to pitching than accumulating stats by playing for decades. Score holds the record for greatest K/9 in Indians history. Score was the ace for just two seasons, including winning the Rookie  the Year in 1955. Score was hit in the face by a baseball that ruined his career. After two seasons of sub 2.85 ERAs, Score was never same after being struck.

5. Gaylord Perry -  1972-1974

Perry was a top ten pitcher for at least two teams, as he played 10 years for the Giants before coming to Cleveland. As soon as he joined the Indians, Perry won his first of two Cy Youngs. Perry only played four seasons for the Indians, but still accumulated some impressive stats, including leading all Indians ever in innings pitched per game and posting a sub-3.00 career ERA for one of the only times after the 1920's. While he made the Hall of Fame for much more than his time in Cleveland, Perry arguably pitched his three greatest seasons in an Indians uniform. 

4. Sam McDowell - 1968-1971

McDowell would be the Indians strike out king if it weren't for a certain Feller. He struck out just around 400 less batters than Rapid Robert, while pitching in almost 250 less games. He also struck out close to 900 more batters than the next best Indians pitcher. McDowell was also an efficient pitcher, throwing 22 shut outs in just 295 starts, a similar rate to the other great Indians starters, well below only the one ranked number one below.

3. Stan Coveleski - 1916-1924

Coveleski was the ace of the first Indians World Series team, pitching three complete games (winning all three) and allowing just two runs. Of course he couldn't play at that level through his entire career, but he was incredibly good during the regular season as well. He ended his career ranking fourth in wins and third in innings pitched as an Indian, all while keeping his ERA under 3.00.

2. Bob Feller - 1938-41, 1946-50

Feller is widely considered to be the greatest Indian, not just for his pitching, but also for his contributions to his country in WWII and to the team after his official retirement. Feller ranks first in all the important counting pitching stats, a combination of his ability and his durability. He ranks first in wins, complete games, innings and strike outs despite losing parts of four seasons in service to his country. Long after he retired, Feller was a mainstay around the Indians clubhouse until his death in 2010.

1. Addie Joss - 1902-1909

Far be it for this website to punish a man for dying. Joss continues to hold what looks to be unbreakable records in WHIP and BAA and ranks second in ERA. Most people consider Feller to be number one, but he never had a ten year string as good as Joss. Only tuberculous meningitis could stop Joss, killing him at the age of 31. Joss tossed the second perfect game in American League history in 1908 among his two no hitters. His 45 shut outs also remain an Indians record, despite playing in 300 less games than Feller. Joss remains completely underrated and remains the greatest Cleveland Indians pitcher of all time.

Borderline: Charles Nagy, Cliff Lee, Len Barker, Tom Candiotti, Greg Swindell

The first week of Spring Training (2/22-2/27) has been full of surprises so far, leading to a precarious amount of optimism. The Indians won their first five games starting with an amazing comeback, walk-off win against the Reds on opening day. Offensively, the Indians have been extremely impressive and leading the way is Michael Brantley. Brantley has been hitting lower in the lineup than he is used to, but has excelled, by going 4-4 in his first two games with three doubles leading to an .833 batting average at present. Brantley has also been the owner of the most negative news to this point in the Spring as he lacerated his arm sliding into third base. He will miss up to two weeks, but should be back in plenty of time to get ready for the regular season.

Ryan Rayburn has been the biggest surprise after he hit three home runs in the first two games and he currently leads the team in both runs and RBI. The Indians shouldn't take this too seriously as he hit 6 home runs with 19 RBI during Spring of 2012, but still ended up batting .171 with a single home run throughout the rest of the regular season.

In general the offense has been hot, with 13 hitters still batting above .300. Since it is early in Spring, most starters are only playing for three or four innings before being replaced. This has lead to some unlikely stars like Rayburn and Mike McDade (the first baseman who hit the game winning double on Opening Day). Matt Carson, Juan Diaz, Ben Francisco, Carlos Moncrief and Jesus Aguilar have all impressed as well in multiple games. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cedric Hunter has received more at bats than any other player and has not made the most of the opportunity (.083 AVG). With Brantley out, the Indians need an extra outfielder for these games, but it is likely to change to Tim Fedroff, Ben Francisco and Carson more often as the Spring goes on.

The most impressive pitching outing thus far was a combined one hit shut out on Sunday against the Reds. That game included Zach McAllister, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Cody Allen, Jerry Gil, T.J. House and Preston Guilmet with only Rich Hill giving up a single hit. Besides that game, the final scores have shown a team that has absolutely no pitching, but this is not necessarily the case. While they have given up 10 runs in three separate games, 14 pitchers who have thrown at least two innings have yet to give up a run, including Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Trevor Bauer, David Huff, Scott Kazmir and Vinnie Pestano. In fact, 30 of the 43 runs allowed so far came against just six pitchers including Giovanni Soto who gave up five runs in a third of an inning on Opening Day.

Overall things are definitely looking positive. The Indians have almost won more games in one week than they did all last Spring and they have won the Goodyear Ballpark series against Cincinnati by sweeping the first three games. With all that, don't get too excited as the first week of Spring Training is generally the least accurate predictor of the actual season. Seeing all those W's after the game should definitely help out morale in camp, though, helping mold this group of players thrown together into real team.