The Cleveland Indians can already feel the bottom starting to give out on their impressive start to the season, and will be desperate for a win on Sunday in a key series finale with the Twins.
Aside from a 7-1 victory in Friday's opener where Indians pitchers did a marvelous job of keeping Minnesota hitters at bay, Cleveland enters the final game of the series with losses in six of their previous eight attempts. The Tribe will send the 6-foot-6 Justin Masterson, owner of a 5.14 ERA and 2-4 record, to the mound for Sunday's game.
Recently called-up from Triple-A Columbus with teammate Johnny Damon on paternity leave, first baseman Matt LaPorta will step into the first base spot for Cleveland and bat seventh in his first game back. LaPorta is currently the leading vote getter among International League position players for the Triple-A All-Star Game, but has struggled to adjust to big league pitching throughout his career.
Here are the starting lineups for game three:
Indians
1. Shin-Soo Choo - RF
2. Jason Kipnis - 2B
3. Asdrubal Cabrera - SS
4. Jose Lopez - 3B
5. Michael Brantley - CF
6. Shelley Duncan - DH
7. Matt LaPorta - 1B
8. Aaron Cunningham - LF
9. Lou Marson - C
Justin Masterson - SP
Twins
1. Denard Span - CF
2. Ben Revere - RF
3. Joe Mauer - DH
4. Josh Willingham - LF
5. Justin Morneau - 1B
6. Ryan Doumit - C
7. Brian Dozier - SS
8. Trevor Plouffe - 3B
9. Alexi Casilla - 2B
Scott Diamond - SP
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