Chicago @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( May 24, 2012 ) Minnesota 8, Chi. White Sox 11

The White Sox begin a three-game series at Minnesota with a new third baseman after acquiring Kevin Youkilis on Sunday in a trade with the Red Sox. Chicago parted with pitcher Zach Stewart and utilityman Brent Lillibridge to get Youkilis, who was batting .233 with four homers and 14 RBIs for Boston. The White Sox are hoping the change of scenery benefits Youkilis, a career .286 hitter. The trade should solidify third base for Chicago, which was platooning Brent Morel and Orlando Hudson prior to Youkilis' arrival.

The Twins took two out of three in Cincinnati over the weekend, but they’re without a true closer after learning that Matt Capps is likely headed to the disabled list. Capps complained of soreness after pitching one inning on Saturday in his first appearance in a week after dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder. The Twins will use a closer-by-committee approach while Capps is out, with Glen Perkins and Jared Burton expected to get most of the save opportunities.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Jake Peavy (6-3, 2.74 ERA) vs. Twins LH Francisco Liriano (1-7, 5.74 ERA)

Peavy allowed two runs (one earned) while tossing a complete game in a 2-1 loss to the Cubs on Tuesday. He has a 1.91 ERA through his four starts in June with a 19-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 28 1/3 innings over that span.

Liriano allowed one run with six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings Wednesday against Pittsburgh, marking his fifth start in a row with at least six strikeouts. During that stretch, he has a 2.67 ERA and a 35-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 30 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe has 10 home runs in June, trailing only Jose Bautista (11) for most homers this month.

2. The White Sox ended a streak of five straight series losses and moved one-half game ahead of Cleveland in the AL Central with a 10-inning, 1-0 victory over the Brewers on Sunday.

3. The Twins’ Joe Mauer hit his 232nd career double on Sunday, tying him with Harmon Killebrew for ninth-most in franchise history.