Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2014 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Minnesota 4

Chicago ace Chris Sale looks to dominate Minnesota for the second consecutive start when the White Sox host the Twins on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Sale matched a season high with 12 strikeouts and scattered five hits while tossing eight scoreless innings on Saturday as he continued his sensational season. The White Sox took three of four from the Twins last week as shortstop Alexei Ramirez went 6-for-18 with two homers and five RBIs.

Minnesota swept four games from the White Sox in June and holds a 6-5 edge in the season series. The Twins lost to Kansas City on Thursday to drop to 4-9 since the All-Star break while Chicago posted a 7-4 win over Detroit to take two of three from the American League Central leader. White Sox rookie first baseman Jose Abreu went 3-for-3 with two walks to extend his hitting streak to 20 games, while outfielders Moises Sierra (four hits, one RBI) and Adam Eaton (three hits, two RBIs) also had solid performances.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Logan Darnell (0-1, 7.88 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (10-1, 1.88)

Darnell made his first career start in the contest against Sale and was torched for seven runs and 11 hits. The 25-year-old did strike out seven in five-plus innings while making an appearance in his second big-league game. Darnell, a sixth-round draft pick in 2010, tossed three hitless innings against Oakland on May 6.

Sale has won five consecutive decisions and has allowed just three runs in 31 2/3 innings over his last four outings. He leads the American League in ERA, has an 0.86 WHIP and has 122 strikeouts against just 19 walks. Sale is 6-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 15 career appearances (seven starts) against Minnesota, including 2-0 this season with a 1.76 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota traded CF Sam Fuld to Oakland for LHP Tommy Milone prior to Thursday’s trading deadline.

2. Chicago 3B Conor Gillaspie went 7-for-16 in the recent four-game set against the Twins.

3. Minnesota LF Josh Willingham is 4-for-22 with 12 strikeouts against Sale, while 2B Brian Dozier has two homers in 17 career at-bats.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Twins 1