Chicago @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2018 ) Minnesota 2, Chi. White Sox 1

The Minnesota Twins have enjoyed success against their American League Central adversaries to keep the club within earshot of .500 this season. Winners of five of their last six overall, the Twins (59-64) aim to inch closer to evening their record on Monday when they host the Chicago White Sox (46-77) in a rescheduled tilt of a snowed out contest on April 15.

Eddie Rosario belted the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning of Sunday's 5-4 victory over Detroit to extend his hitting streak to seven games, during which he has collected five RBIs and as many runs scored while going deep two times in his last three outings for Minnesota. Max Kepler launched a solo shot in the finale versus the Tigers, giving him two homers and five runs scored in his last six games overall. Jose Abreu is doing quite well in a six-game stretch as well - going 9-for-23 with two homers, nine RBIs and four runs scored - for Chicago, which hosts Minnesota on Tuesday and Wednesday. The 31-year-old has homered three times versus Minnesota this season, although his 13 strikeouts in 49 at-bats leave a bit to be desired.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (8-9, 6.15 ERA) vs. Twins LH Stephen Gonsalves (major-league debut)

Giolito answered a disastrous start with a strong one on Tuesday, as he allowed three runs and struck out seven over six innings in a 6-3 win at Detroit. The 24-year-old has fanned 20 batters in 18 innings this month, but he only struck out three in his last meeting with Minnesota. Giolito permitted just one run on four hits in a no-decision versus the Twins on June 28, although four walks led to an elevated pitch count and his subsequent departure after 6 1/3 innings.

Gonsalves, who was ranked as Minnesota's No. 3 prospect per Baseball America entering the season, will replace the injured Ervin Santana (finger) and become the fourth Twins starter to make his major-league debut in 2018. The southpaw owns a 12-3 combined mark with a 2.76 ERA with Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Rochester, although his 65 walks in 120 2/3 innings are cause for concern. "I was actually struggling a little bit walking everyone," Gonsalves told reporters. "I was effectively wild, not mixing in a whole lot of hits. I've missed bats in the past with good changeups and good spin. Hopefully, we can just go from there."

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 3B Yolmer Sanchez is 12-for-34 during his eight-game hitting streak.

2. Minnesota has scored at least five runs in each of its last six contests.

3. White Sox RHP Michael Kopech, who owns a 4-0 mark with a 1.84 ERA in his last seven starts, will make his major-league debut on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, White Sox 2