Chicago @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( May 11, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Minnesota 2
It might only be a two-game series, but a sweep could give the Chicago White Sox the confidence it needs to make a move in the American League Central.
The White Sox will be looking to complete a sweep today when they face the division-leading Twins.
Despite owning the worst batting average in the AL, Chicago managed to string enough hits together in the series opener on Tuesday to emerge with a five-run fifth inning and a 5-2 victory.
A.J. Pierzynski and Alexei Ramirez provided two-run doubles in the decisive frame and Andruw Jones added an RBI single to pace the White Sox.
While Jones has been a pleasant surprise offensively this season, Pierzynski and Ramirez are hoping that Tuesday's performance will be the spark they need to start moving their batting averages a little further north of the .200 mark.
Unfortunately Gordon Beckham and Carlos Quentin, who are hitting .188 and .187, respectively, combined to go 0-for-7 with four strikeouts.
Any scenario in which Chicago contends this season has to include both Quentin and Beckham, each of whom has the potential to carry the team offensively.
The White Sox, who were expected to compete with the Twins and the Detroit Tigers in the Central this season, pulled within five games of the .500 mark and to within seven games of division-leading Minnesota with Tuesday's win.
Chicago stays on the road for three games against Kansas City and two against Detroit before coming home to face the struggling Angels and the Florida Marlins in interleague play.
The White Sox will send their hottest pitcher, John Danks, to the hill in today's finale. The 25-year-old left-hander has yet to allow more than two runs in any start this season and has posted a sparkling 1.98 ERA.
Danks has held opponents to a .220 batting average and has yielded only two homers and 11 walks while striking out 33 in 41 innings. He suffered his first loss of the last Thursday against Toronto despite allowing just two runs in seven innings, as the White Sox offense managed just three hits.
Danks faced the Twins in his first start of the season and did not factor in the decision, giving up one earned run and eight hits in six innings.
For his career, Danks is 4-5 with a 5.13 ERA against the division rivals. Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau have done the most damage against Danks, combining to go 27-for-62 with eight homers.
The Twins will counter with right-hander Carl Pavano, who has been a tough-luck loser in each of his last two starts. The veteran has allowed a total of four earned runs and 13 hits over 16 combined innings. He has surrendered two earned runs or less in five of his six starts.
Pavano has faced the White Sox five times in his career, going 3-2 with a 2.86 ERA and two shutouts.
Joe Mauer made his first start at catcher Tuesday since suffering a bruised left heel on April 30. He went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Unfortunately shortstop J.J. Hardy was not as lucky, going on the disabled list with a left wrist injury.