The Indians will be in search of their fourth victory in five attempts on Friday night from Minnesota, as right-hander Josh Tomlin will get the start to open a three-game series with the Twins.
Fresh off a momentum-building series win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, Cleveland enters at 50-49 overall and a mere one game above .500 on the season. Hoping to key his team's offense for yet another game after homering on Thursday, Indians catcher Carlos Santana will take over first base duties to kick off the series in Minnesota with a day game scheduled on Saturday.
After opening the year on a bothersome power drought, Santana has exploded from the plate recently with three homers over his last eight starts alone. Now finally looking like the player that crushed out 27 bombs a year ago, the 26-year-old Santana appears be in store for a very productive second half.
Here are the starting lineups for Friday:
Indians
1. Shin-Soo Choo - RF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera - SS
3. Jason Kipnis - 2B
4. Michael Brantley - CF
5. Carlos Santana - 1B
6. Travis Hafner - DH
7. Jose Lopez - 2B
8. Shelley Duncan - LF
9. Lou Marson - C
Josh Tomlin - SP
Twins
1. Denard Span - CF
2. Ben Revere - RF
3. Joe Mauer - C
4. Josh Willingham - LF
5. Justin Morneau - 1B
6. Ryan Doumit - DH
7. Trevor Plouffe - 3B
8. Brian Dozier - SS
9. Jamey Carroll - 2B
Scott Diamond - SP
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