After opening the second half of the year with a brutal seven-game road trip, the Cleveland Indians will return home to Progressive Field on Friday for the first of a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles.
Both the Orioles and Indians have been scuttling as of late despite each opening the 2012 campaign on a torrid start, and will be hoping to thrust themselves back into the playoff picture with a series victory. Taking the ball for the Indians in Friday's game, a 39-year-old veteran Derek Lowe will face the Orioles for the second time this season. Lowe previously served up seven runs (four earned) to Baltimore hitters back on June 29 in a frustrating outing, and will be hoping for better results his second time around.
Owner of a woeful .209 batting average back on May 3rd, Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo remains arguably the hottest hitter in the American League over the last few months. Choo finished 0-for-4 in Thursday's game for only his third hitless performance in the month of July, but is a handful of strong performances away from pushing his season average over the .300 mark.
Here are Friday's starting lineups for a pivotal game one:
Indians
1. Shin-Soo Choo - RF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera - SS
3. Jason Kipnis - 2B
4. Michael Brantley - CF
5. Carlos Santana - C
6. Travis Hafner - DH
7. Johnny Damon - LF
8. Casey Kotchman - 1B
9. Jack Hannahan - 3B
Derek Lowe - SP
Orioles
1. Nick Markakis - RF
2. J.J. Hardy - SS
3. Jim Thome - DH
4. Adam Jones - CF
5. Matt Wieters - C
6. Wilson Betemit - 3B
7. Chris Davis - LF
8. Mark Reynolds - 1B
9. Ryan Flaherty - 2B
Miguel Gonzalez - SP
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