Lee, Millwood take spotlight in opener

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kevin Millwood will start his fourth consecutive season opener since joining the Texas Rangers, yet he has a lot to do this year to guarantee the chance for a fifth.

Cliff Lee was on the back end of Cleveland’s rotation to start last season, a year after being demoted to the minor leagues. The left-hander is now the Indians’ No. 1 starter after winning 22 games and the AL Cy Young Award.

Millwood, on the disabled list four times the past two years for nagging injuries, begins his pivotal season and Lee assumes a new role after his breakthrough performance when they face each other in the opener today.

Lee’s ascension to the top of the Indians rotation was also cleared by the departure of CC Sabathia, who signed a $161 million, seven-year deal to be the New York Yankees’ top starter.

“Every starting pitcher wants to be the No. 1 starter, and it’s nice knowing that the organization views me as that,” Lee said. “Hopefully, I can go out and get the season started on a good note.”

And wipe away memories of a miserable spring training, when Lee was 0-3 with a 12.46 ERA in six starts and the Indians won only 12 of 35 games.

“He’s a tough kid. He’s very confident,” Manager Eric Wedge said. “I don’t think it’s fair to assume that anything like last year’s going to happen.

“But I think what we do expect him to do is lead our starting staff and give us a chance to win.”