Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Minnesota at Chi. White Sox

Last Meeting ( Apr 19, 2013 ) Minnesota 0, Chi. White Sox 0

Two teams hoping to stay in the mix in the wide-open American League Central will face off for the first time this season when the Chicago White Sox host the Minnesota Twins for a weather-shortened two-game series, beginning Saturday. Friday's scheduled series opener was postponed due to cold temperatures and a strong wind. The White Sox have won four straight and seven of eight against the Twins, and they won 14 of 18 in last year's season series.

Chicago temperatures are expected to get up into the high 40s on Saturday before crawling into the 60s for Sunday's finale. The White Sox were held to a season-low four hits in Thursday's 3-1 loss at Toronto, settling for a split in the four-game series against the Blue Jays. Chicago won its first two series of the season, but has not won one since. With the rainout Wednesday and no scheduled game on Thursday, the Twins will have a rare three consecutive days off. They limped into the series with the Los Angeles Angels earlier in the week on a five-game losing streak, but won both contests.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Vance Worley (0-2, 10.50 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Jake Peavy (2-1, 3.93)

Worley's tenure with the Twins is off to a rocky start, and he is coming off the worst outing of his career against the Mets. He recorded only three outs and allowed nine runs (seven earned) in the shortest start of his career. Worley has never faced the White Sox.

Peavy is coming off a dominant performance against Cleveland in which he struck out 11 and allowed one run over seven innings. The veteran has compiled 24 strikeouts and only one walk through his first three starts. Peavy is 6-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 11 starts against the Twins. He won four of five starts against them last season and posted quality starts in all five outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Peavy has racked up double-digit strikeouts 32 times in his career.

2. Twins C Joe Mauer is the only player on the roster who has hit a home run off Peavy, a former National League Cy Young Award winner.

3. Jeff Keppinger is the only White Sox player who has faced Worley. He is 1-for-6 with a walk against the former Phillies right-hander.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Twins 3