Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 31, 2014 ) Minnesota 3, Chi. White Sox 5

Alejandro De Aza was expected to be the less powerful part of a left-field platoon with Dayan Viciedo, but a home run explosion may change that outlook. De Aza will attempt to stay on his 324-homer pace when the White Sox host the Minnesota Twins again on Wednesday. De Aza’s pair of homers and a big game from Cuban import Jose Abreu pushed Chicago to a 5-3 triumph in Monday’s series opener.

The Twins also had some unexpected contributions to their own offense in the opener with Kurt Suzuki driving in all three runs. Minnesota moved Joe Mauer out from behind the plate in the hope that the less demanding position of first base would allow his bat to stay in the lineup while Suzuki provided steady defense and somewhat less impressive returns with the bat. Mauer went 0-for-4 while hitting behind Suzuki in the opener. Chicago has its own new first baseman in Abreu, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his major league debut.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kevin Correia (2013: 9-13, 4.18 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Felipe Paulino (2012: 3-1, 1-67)

Correia provided steady innings in his first taste of the American League last season and closed the season by allowing three or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven starts. The 33-year-old made one start at Chicago last season and struck out seven in seven scoreless frames to earn the win on Aug. 11. Correia went 2-2 with a 3.21 ERA in four total starts against the White Sox in 2013.

Paulino pitched well enough in the spring to earn an open slot in the White Sox rotation but will be monitored closely after missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old also had a cyst removed from his shoulder last September and has not pitched in a major-league game since June 2012. Paulino does not have a long track record against Minnesota and has surrendered a pair of hits to Mauer in as many at-bats.

WALK-OFFS

1. De Aza is 4-for-14 with a home run off Correia in his career.

2. Minnesota LHP Brian Duensing (paternity leave) is not expected back until Thursday.

3. Chicago gave the closer spot to veteran RHP Matt Lindstrom to start the season and he locked up the first opportunity on Monday.

PREDICTION: White Sox 9, Twins 7