Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 20, 2013 ) Minnesota 2, Chi. White Sox 1

The Minnesota Twins had three straight days off before opening their series at the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, and they were predictably rusty with the bats. The White Sox, who host the finale of the weather-shortened two-game set on Sunday, were just as rusty with the gloves. The Twins pushed across the go-ahead run on an error in the top of the 10th and went on to grab a 2-1 victory. Chicago has been held to a single run in back-to-back games.

Alexei Ramirez’s throwing error allowed Ryan Doumit to come across with the go-ahead run on Saturday afternoon as the White Sox and Twins battled through the cold. Friday’s scheduled series opener was postponed due to a wind chill in the 20's and Saturday was still chilly, but temperatures are expected to get into the 60's for Sunday’s finale. Minnesota played a total of three games in a week but won all three between rainouts against the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels and Friday’s cold-out. The Twins have gotten good starting pitching in all three of those wins, a trend Scott Diamond will attempt to continue on Sunday.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (0-1, 8.31 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (0-3, 6.32)

Diamond did not make his season debut until last weekend after having a bone chip removed from his left elbow over the winter. The 26-year-old allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings against the New York Mets to suffer a loss. Diamond has made six career starts against Chicago and owns a 2-4 record with a 5.19 ERA against the division rivals.

Floyd is off to a slow start and has seen his outings get shorter with each turn. After going six innings in his season debut, the veteran right-hander lasted only 4 1/3 while allowing four runs on nine hits in a loss at Toronto on Monday. Minnesota has not been a great matchup for Floyd, who owns a 6-11 record with a 5.71 ERA in 18 starts against the Twins. Joe Mauer is hitting .442 with three homers in his career against Floyd.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox INF Jeff Keppinger is 0-for-17 in the last four games.

2. Mauer had two hits Saturday to raise his average to .393. He is 10-for-14 in the last three contests.

3. Minnesota RHP Jared Burton has allowed a total of three hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings spread over seven appearances.

PREDICTION: White Sox 7, Twins 5