Twins-Sox Preview
Chicago, IL – For the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, the next 10 days could determine which team has the inside track to the AL Central title.
The division leaders will meet six times in that span, with the first coming Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the White Sox –105 money line favorites for Tuesday’s game against the Twins. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 58% of more than 549 bets for this game have been placed on the White Sox -105.
With 63-49 records, Chicago and Minnesota have separated themselves from the rest of the Central. The rivals have nine games remaining against each other, including three at Minnesota starting Aug. 17.
"We’re not scoreboard watching yet," Twins pitcher Brian Duensing said.
This 10-day stretch could be crucial, particularly since these teams won’t meet again until mid-September in Chicago.
"It’s what you play for, what you strive for in the big leagues. It’s fun," catcher A.J. Pierzynski told the White Sox’s official website.
The Twins, 17-7 since the All-Star break, are 6-3 against the White Sox this season and hit .354 in winning three of four in the teams’ most recent series from July 15-18. Minnesota had won six straight at U.S. Cellular before losing its last game there April 11.
Though the White Sox have won 10 of 15 overall and 20 of 22 at home, they concluded a 4-4 road trip by scoring 10 runs while losing three of four to league-worst Baltimore.
"I’m not concerned," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We have a team that can hit, but the last four days we’ve been very quiet offensively."
Minnesota hopes Scott Baker (9-9, 4.70 ERA) can further contain the White Sox. The right-hander, 2-0 with a 2.21 ERA in his last three starts, allowed three hits and struck out seven in eight scoreless innings of a 2-1, 13-inning win at Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
"He deserves to win," teammate Denard Span told the Twins’ official website.
Minnesota has won six of Baker’s seven starts against Chicago since the start of 2008 as he’s gone 4-1 with a 4.04 ERA. He improved to 3-1 at U.S. Cellular after giving up a run in seven innings of a 2-1 win April 10 in his only start versus the White Sox this year.
Chicago counters with right-hander Freddy Garcia (10-4, 4.54), who is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA in three starts against Minnesota in 2010.
Garcia, 7-1 with a 3.84 ERA in his last 12 overall, allowed a run in 6 2-3 innings of a 6-4, 11-inning win at Detroit on Thursday.
Minnesota All-Star Joe Mauer is 11 for 29 with four doubles and a homer against Garcia. Though he has been plagued by shoulder tendinitis, Mauer is 22 for 41 with 16 RBIs in 11 games.
Orlando Hudson came off the disabled list to go 1 for 3 with two RBIs in Minnesota’s 5-4 win at Cleveland on Sunday. Hudson is batting .323 with 17 RBIs in 18 career games at U.S. Cellular Field, but he’s 2 for 19 against Garcia.
Chicago’s Paul Konerko hit a game-tying homer in the ninth inning of a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Orioles on Monday. The All-Star, who matched his 2009 total of 28 home runs, went 11 for 30 with three homers on the recent trip. He is batting .389 with two home runs and six RBIs against the Twins this season.
Three of Konerko’s seven hits in 27 at-bats against Baker have left the park.
Chicago second baseman Gordan Beckham is likely to miss a second straight game with a groin injury. Hitting .390 in his last 24 games, Beckham could return Wednesday.
Posted: 8/10/10 2:20AM ET