Two of baseball's biggest surprises through the first half of the season will square off on Friday, as the Cleveland Indians will host the first of a three-game set with Pittsburgh at Progressive Field.
Both teams will enter Friday's tilt sporting identical 32-30 records, although the visiting Pirates have been largely erratic when playing away from home and have won just 13 of 32 their attempts on the road this year. Coming off a quality start where he gave up just one run through seven innings and walked away without a decision, Cleveland will give the ball to 6-foot-6 starter Justin Masterson in game one.
Friday call-up Jack Hannahan will assume his usual role at third base after missing time due to an injured calf muscle. Lonnie Chisenhall, who served as Hannahan's replacement at third but is hitting just .214 this year, will move over to the DH slot for Friday's game.
Here are the starting lineups for the series opener:
Indians
1. Shin-Soo Choo - RF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera - SS
3. Jason Kipnis - 2B
4. Carlos Santana - C
5. Michael Brantley - CF
6. Johnny Damon - LF
7. Casey Kotchman - 1B
8. Lonnie Chisenhall - DH
9. Jack Hannahan - 3B
Justin Masterson - SP
Pirates
1. Alex Presley - LF
2. Neil Walker - 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen - CF
4. Garrett Jones - DH
5. Casey McGehee - 1B
6. Pedro Alvarez - 3B
7. Jose Tabata - RF
8. Rod Barajas - C
9. Josh Harrison - SS
James McDonald - SP
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