Chicago @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2014 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Minnesota 6

Rookie Danny Santana has made quite the impact in his relatively short stay in the majors. The 23-year-old Dominican looks to continue his good fortune Thursday when the Minnesota Twins conclude their 10-game homestand by opening a four-game set versus the Chicago White Sox. Santana collected three hits in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Cleveland to reach 50 in his 42nd game, marking the fastest route to that honor since Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett accomplished the feat in 36 contests in 1984.

Santana, who has hit safely in eight of his last nine outings, is just 4-for-16 against Chicago and 0-for-4 versus Thursday starter Hector Noesi. Adam Dunn went 4-for-10 in the series versus Kansas City and has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four games, but the White Sox are 1-3 in that stretch. The slugger has struggled versus Thursday starter Phil Hughes, going 3-for-16 with seven strikeouts.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Hector Noesi (4-7, 5.21 ERA) vs. Twins RH Phil Hughes (10-6, 4.06)

Noesi improved to 2-2 in July after allowing three runs on six hits in as many innings en route to a 4-3 triumph over Houston on Saturday. The 27-year-old is 1-0 in his career versus Minnesota, but yielded four runs on six hits in seven innings in a no-decision June 20. Noesi has permitted five homers and 14 walks this month after allowing nine and 23, respectively, from April-June.

Hughes yielded five runs and double-digit hits for the second straight outing to suffer the loss versus Tampa Bay on Saturday. The 28-year-old also permitted five runs in his last meeting with the White Sox, but walked away with the win in a 6-5 victory June 22. Hughes owns a 4-2 career mark with a 2.68 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 13 appearances - nine starts - against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 2B Brian Dozier rebounded from a 1-for-16 slump to go 4-for-9 with two doubles and a pair RBIs in his last two contests.

2. Chicago won the first two meetings of the season before Minnesota outscored its rival 29-23 to claim the next five outings.

3. White Sox CF Adam Eaton saw his nine-game hitting streak come to an end.

PREDICTION: Twins 3, White Sox 2