Looking to stay within striking distance in the AL Central, the Cleveland Indians enter the heart of their interleague schedule trailing by 1.5 games to the division-leading White Sox. Friday's series opener with the St. Louis Cardinals will open up a pivotal 15-game stretch for an Indians team in search of an identity as of late.
The Cardinals rank second in all of baseball in runs scored with 302, but have not been able to see the same type of success from their pitching staff. Cleveland hitters will have to deal with former Indian starting pitcher Jake Westbrook, who is 4-5 on the season and will be making his first start against his former club since being traded by Cleveland two years ago.
With only one hit in the Detroit series, Indians catcher Carlos Santana will hope to get things going with the bat during interleague play. Instead of being able to ease back into his day-to-day role by utilizing the DH spot, Santana will be forced to suit up behind the plate for Cleveland's next six games in National League parks. Friday will mark Santana's second start at catcher since returning from the disabled list.
Here are the starting lineups for Friday's 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 - 3B
9. Josh Tomlin - SP
Cardinals
1. Rafael Furcal - SS
2. Carlos Beltran - RF
3. Matt Holliday - LF
4. Allen Craig - 1B
5. David Freese - 3B
6. Yadier Molina - C
7. Daniel Descalso - 2B
8. Shane Robinson - CF
9. Jake Westbrook - SP
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