Indians and Giants go at it today

The San Francisco Giants (11-6-3) take on the Cleveland Indians (5-10) this afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark. LHP Eric Surkamp (2-1, 4.76) will make his third spring start (and fifth appearance overall). RHP Kevin Slowey (0-2, 5.63) is on the hill for the Tribe.

The two teams played to a 2-2 tie a week ago.

Surkamp, 24, has allowed 13 hits and issued three walks in 11.1 innings so far this spring and he has fanned 11 batters. In his last start, on Friday against the Cubs, he gave up a run in four innings. If No. 4 starter Ryan Vogelsong (back) is not quite ready to begin the regular season in two weeks, Surkamp could feasibly make a start in his place.

Slowey, 27, will make his fourth start of the spring today. The former Twin got roughed up for three runs on five hits and a walk his last time out, Friday against the Angels.

Today’s game can be heard via a live web stream through MLB.com’s Media Center. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. (PT).

Starting lineups…

Giants (11-6-3):
1. Blanco (cf)
2. Fontenot (2b)
3. Sandoval (3b)
4. Posey (DH)
5. Belt (1b)
6. Pill (lf)
7. Burriss (rf)
8. Crawford (ss)
9. Stewart (c)
Starting pitcher: E. Surkamp (2-1, 4.76)

Indians (5-10):
1. Kipnis (2b)
2. Cabrera (ss)
3. Choo (rf)
4. Santana (DH)
5. Duncan (lf)
6. LaPorta (1b)
7. Cunningham (cf)
8. Chisenhall (3b)
9. Marson (c)
Starting pitcher: K. Slowey (0-2, 5.63)

Pre-game notes: According to John O’Connor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Giants prospects Gary Brown and Joe Panik will likely begin the season at Double-A Richmond … Tim Lincecum and Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw appear on the cover of the new ESPN The Magazine together. In the photo, the two-time Cy Young award winner has the reigning Cy Young winner in a headlock … San Francisco has stolen at least one base in 16 of their 20 contests and has attempted to steal in all but three games … OF Gregor Blanco is among the Cactus League leaders in stolen bases (1st with 9 SB), hits (1st with 17 H) and batting average (4th, .436). Blanco has hit safely in 11 of 14 games this spring … The Giants rank first in batting average (.290), slugging percentage (.466), ERA (3.11), wins (11), and saves (6) among all National League teams this spring … OF Nate Schierholtz is out of the lineup again today with a sore forearm … Also missing from today’s lineup is leadoff hitter Angel Pagan, who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts yesterday … RHP Sergio Romo (“cranky” elbow) will pitch on Friday … Closer Brian Wilson reportedly has a sore arm. But nothing serious … RHP Heath Hembree was reassigned to the Giants’ minor league camp yesterday … Former Giant and all-around good guy Andres Torres strained his left calf in the Mets’ 2-0 win over Washington last night.

Position battles: Below are the number of innings that each player has logged at his position(s), through the Giants’ first 20 Cactus League games.

C — Stewart (47), Whiteside (44), H. Sanchez (36), Posey (21), J. Williams (15), Susac (9), Joseph (6)
1B — Pill (63), Belt (41), Huff (39), Dominguez (30), Oropesa (3), Anders (3)
2B — Burriss (41), Theriot (38), Fontenot (33), Noonan (31), Panik (18), Arias (17)
3B — Sandoval (74), Gillaspie (67), Dominguez (12), Arias (12), Burriss (8), Noonan (4), Theriot (1)
SS — Crawford (64), Arias (38), Theriot (30), Burriss (17), Adrianza (15), Fontenot (9), Panik (5)
LF — Cabrera (52), Christian (45), Perez (21), Belt (18), Burriss (14), Pill (10), Graham (8), Huff (5), Parker (5)
CF — Pagan (59), Blanco (49), Brown (30), Graham (28), Cabrera (11), Christian (1)
RF — Schierholtz (59), Kieschnick (29), Blanco (26), Perez (21), Belt (17), Christian (12), Graham (11), Parker (3)