Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Minnesota at Chi. White Sox

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2013 ) Minnesota 7, Chi. White Sox 5

The Minnesota Twins may be heading nowhere fast, but they have won four of six overall and six of eight against the Chicago White Sox. The Twins look to continue their positive momentum on Friday when they open a four-game series against their American League Central rival with a day-night doubleheader. Minnesota is playing well but was unable to slow surging Kansas City, dropping the rubber match of the three-game series with a 5-2 setback on Wednesday.

The Twins reside 6 1/2 games ahead of the bottom-feeding White Sox, who rebounded from a 10-game losing skid by sweeping a three-game set against the New York Yankees. Alejandro De Aza's two-run triple in the 12th inning completed Chicago's second rally en route to a 6-5 triumph on Wednesday. De Aza is riding a seven-game hitting streak, but went 1-for-13 during Minnesota's three-game sweep of Chicago on June 18-20.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Liam Hendriks (0-1, 4.66 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Charlie Leesman (NR)

Hendriks is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Rochester to make his first start since April 10, when he allowed one run over four hits in five innings in a tough-luck loss to Kansas City. The 24-year-old Australian struggled in a pair of outings versus the White Sox, posting an 0-2 mark with a 4.05 ERA while yielding six runs in 13 1/3 innings. Hendriks has just one victory in 22 starts in his major-league career.

Leesman will make his major-league debut in the nightcap. The 26-year-old has rebounded after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2012 by posting a 3-1 mark with a 3.47 ERA in 13 starts for Triple-A Charlotte. Leesman was originally selected by Minnesota in the 2005 draft before being chosen by Chicago in the 11th round three years later.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas claimed OF Alex Rios off waivers on Thursday, although MLB.com cited sources saying that a trade is unlikely. The 32-year-old Rios is riding a nine-game hitting streak with the White Sox, but his 12 homers and .277 batting average are well off the pace of last year's totals (25, .304).

2. Minnesota is expected to place C Ryan Doumit on the 7-day concussion list.

2. Chicago 1B Paul Konerko has hit safely in four straight games and eight of his last 10. Konerko is 11-for-24 in the season series versus the Twins.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, White Sox 2