Chicago @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2019 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Minnesota 5

The Minnesota Twins took care of business over the weekend against the one team still challenging them in the American League Central. Their reward is a favorable stretch run that could guide them to a first division crown since 2010 and they opened it with a victory over the Chicago White Sox, who visit Target Field again Tuesday as the teams continue a three-game series.

After the White Sox (65-85) leave town, Minnesota hosts Kansas City (55-95) for four games before finishing the regular season with three games at Detroit (45-104) and three more at the Royals. The Twins took two of three from Cleveland before topping Chicago 5-3 on Monday to open up a five-game lead over the Indians in the Central with 12 to play. Lucas Giolito, who spun a shutout with 12 strikeouts at Minnesota last month, was supposed to get the nod Tuesday for the White Sox but instead will be shut down due to a lat strain. The Twins will give the ball to Martin Perez as they try to improve to 13-5 against Chicago on the year.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Ross Detwiler (2-5, 6.79 ERA) vs. Twins LH Martin Perez (10-7, 4.89)

The injury to Giolito ended a breakout campaign for the young right-hander, who made the All-Star team one year after posting a 6.13 ERA. Detwiler steps in Tuesday to make the spot start, his first appearance since Sept. 2, when he was rocked for four runs in 2 2/3 innings in a loss at Cleveland. Detwiler is 1-1 with a 6.43 ERA in four games (two starts) against the Twins this year.

Perez has an 8.31 ERA over his last five home starts after giving up five runs in five innings in a loss to Washington on Wednesday. He has 19 strikeouts against 16 walks over his last six outings overall and has given up eight extra-base hits - three home runs - over the last three. The 28-year-old took the loss on July 27 in his one matchup with the White Sox this year despite giving up three runs in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins rookie 2B Luis Arraez has multiple hits in four of his last seven games.

2. White Sox SS Tim Anderson was given Monday off and still leads the AL in hitting (.332).

3. Minnesota DH Nelson Cruz had an RBI single Monday and remained three home runs shy of becoming the 57th player in baseball history with 400 career blasts.

PREDICTION: Twins 7, White Sox 4