Monday is a special day for Cleveland Indians fans.
Yes, the team has already played a full series on the road.
But fans are finally back at Progressive Field for the home opener Monday afternoon against the Kansas City Royals.
The thought of spending too much money on ballpark beer and peanuts sounds amazing after a year away.
The Indians could also make the day better by picking up a win and improving to 2-2 after a bit of a rough start to the year in Detroit.
The home opener lineup has a few notable takeaways.
Our first lineup to play in front of the hometown crowd in 561 days.#OurCLE pic.twitter.com/S4Lk8Nb8iD
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) April 5, 2021
561 days?
It has felt like a lifetime.
The Home Opener Lineup
The platoons continue to be seen and Terry Francona is now going with one at shortstop.
Amed Rosario is in for Andres Gimenez at shortstop against the left-handed Danny Duffy.
Jordan Luplow and Yu Chang are also playing in their respective platoon situations.
Both had big days Sunday and can hopefully form a nice duo that can turn over the lineup.
Rosario playing at shortstop is a bit of a surprise given the narratives coming out of spring training this year.
Gimenez appeared to win the job and Rosario was going to get time in center field.
However, Luplow and Ben Gamel have been holding down center as Rosario shifts to more of a reserve infielder role.
Will we ever see him in the outfield?
It may depend on how Gimenez performs.
If the young shortstop struggles, Rosario could slide in at his natural position.
Logan Allen’s Big Opportunity
Logan Allen gets the start for the Indians in what is easily the biggest moment of his young career.
The southpaw showed enough to win the fourth starter job.
It remains to be seen how Triston McKenzie will be used before a fifth starter is needed.
Allen is only 23 years old and did appear in three games last season with the team.
Pitching in front of the home crowd during the home opener is just a bit different.
A Familiar Name in the Royals Lineup
The Royals may not be a hyped team, but they are actively trying to compete in 2021.
Having Carlos Santana in the lineup should help the cause.
Here's how we're taking the field behind Danny Duffy this afternoon in Cleveland.#TogetherRoyal pic.twitter.com/gXJ4XbhNur
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 5, 2021
Seeing Santana in a Royals uniform is going to be weird.
It also serves as a reminder that the Indians had a perfectly good first baseman in town before opting for the platoon approach.
Alas, this is not a new narrative for Cleveland fans.
The hope is that Allen can shut down Santana and the Royals and the Indians can pick up a nice, easy victory.
Sunday provided evidence the offense is not terrible and ended the mass panic that was ready to ensue if the team had lost.
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