Minnesota @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2014 ) Minnesota 8, Chi. White Sox 10
Jose Abreu attempts to stretch his hitting streak to 22 games Saturday when the Chicago White Sox host the Minnesota Twins in the second contest of a three-game set. Abreu went 3-for-3 and scored twice as Chicago won a wild 10-8 decision Friday and is closing in on Carlos Lee’s franchise-record 28-game hitting streak. The White Sox have won six of their last eight games while Minnesota is just 4-10 since the All-Star break.
The teams combined for 31 hits in the opener – including 17 by Chicago, which evened the season series at six wins apiece. White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez drove in the tiebreaking run in a four-run eighth inning uprising while notching his seventh two-hit game since the All-Star break. Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier went 3-for-4 and scored three times in his return from a thumb injury and is 6-for-10 over his last three contests.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Yohan Pino (1-3, 4.38 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Scott Carroll (4-6, 4.29)
Pino received a no-decision against Chicago on Sunday when he gave up two runs and four hits in six innings. It was his second no-decision against the White Sox this season, the other occurring when he allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings in his first major-league start on June 19. Pino is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two road outings.
Carroll also received a no-decision when matched against Pino on Sunday as he allowed one run and four hits over six innings. It was his third strong outing in a four-start stretch. Carroll has experienced immense struggles at home, going 2-3 with a 5.82 ERA in 34 innings and allowing opponents to bat .355.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox OF Moises Sierra had two hits in the series opener and is 6-for-9 over the last two games.
2. Minnesota 3B Trevor Plouffe went 3-for-5 after going hitless in 16 at-bats over a four-game stretch.
3. Chicago DH Paul Konerko is 8-for-18 over his last five games after having two hits on Friday.
PREDICTION: White Sox 8, Twins 5