Minnesota @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2010 ) Minnesota 12, Chi. White Sox 6
Having to using a spot starter is never a good idea, whether it's the first week in April or the last week in September.
Having to use one in the middle of a series when you're battling for a division lead gives extra meaning to the term “bad idea,” but sometimes teams are forced into that situation.
Unfortunately for the Minnesota Twins and manager Ron Gardenhire, they're faced with that problem for the second game of their crucial series with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.
Right-hander Kevin Slowey can't pitch because of a sore right shoulder, which means left-hander Glen Perkins is up from Triple-Rochester to make the start.
That news looks even worse for the Twins considering Perkins' numbers at Rochester. He went 4-9 with a 6.08 ERA in 23 starts against International League hitters. Perkins was tagged for 152 hits, including 14 homers, in 117 innings.
Despite numerous opportunities the last two seasons, Perkins has been unable to stay in Minnesota's rotation. He went 12-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 26 starts in 2008, but struggled last season, going 6-7 with a 4.41 in 17 starts and one relief appearance. Perkins is 2-1 with a 5.22 ERA against the White Sox in his career.
Perkins battled a sore back in spring training and didn't make the team. The Twins are hoping Slowey's problems aren't serious and it's unclear whether Perkins will be needed after tonight.
John Danks is 7-3 in his last 11 starts since June 10 and has pitched into the seventh inning eight times in the stretch. Danks held Baltimore to one run and six hits in seven innings in his last start, but ended up with a no-decision.
The left-hander has started three times against the Twins this season, going 1-1 and allowing 10 earned runs and 24 hits in 19 innings. Ironically, his worst outing came in his one win. He gave up six runs and nine hits in six innings on July 15 in an 8-7 victory.
Danks would be wise to pitch around Michael Cuddyer, who is batting .474 with five home runs and 11 RBIs lifetime against him.
Cuddyer is coming off a big game in Tuesday night's 12-6 win that put the Twins alone in first place and a game ahead of the White Sox in the American League Central. He drove in four runs and hit one of Minnesota's five homers.
Jim Thome, J.J. Hardy, Joe Mauer and Jason Kubel also homered.
The Twins are 7-3 against the White Sox this season. This series ends Thursday night and the teams meet three times next week at Target Field.