Chicago @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( May 14, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 4, Minnesota 2

The Chicago White Sox have been unable to put together back-to-back wins over the last 10 games, a trend they will try to halt in the series finale against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon. Chicago rebounded from a 10-3 drubbing in Minnesota on Monday with a 4-2 victory behind a strong pitching performance from Jake Peavy on Tuesday night. The White Sox are last in the American League in both runs scored and batting average but managed to collect 12 hits - including two home runs - on Tuesday.

The Twins had scored a major league-best 74 runs in May entering Tuesday's game, but they were stymied by Peavy and finished with only six hits. Justin Morneau had two of those to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, and teammate Joe Mauer has hit safely in 13 straight contests. Josh Willingham, who bats in the No. 3 slot between Mauer and Morneau, is mired in a 2-for-26 slump with 10 strikeouts over the past seven games.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Axelrod (0-3, 4.17 ERA) vs. Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (3-3, 6.03)

Axelrod remains winless in seven starts and is coming off one of his worst outings, as he allowed a season high-tying six runs (five earned) in six innings last time out against the Los Angeles Angels. That was preceded by a string of four straight solid starts during which Axelrod surrendered a total of eight runs and went at least six innings in each outing. He made a relief appearance against Minnesota last September, giving up two runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Pelfrey was working on a shutout through five innings against Baltimore last time out before getting pelted for three runs on four doubles in the sixth inning. He turned in his best effort in his previous start, limiting Cleveland to one run on four hits while striking out a season-high seven. Pelfrey has put a lot of runners on base and has allowed opponents to bat .331 against him while posting a bloated 1.69 WHIP. He never has faced the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. The White Sox are 6-1 in their last seven at Target Field.

2. Mauer has struck out in a career-high 13 straight games.

3. The temperature at gametime Tuesday was a sweltering 92 degrees, but it is expected to be in the mid-70s Wednesday afternoon.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Twins 3