Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2012 ) Minnesota 4, Chi. White Sox 7

The Chicago White Sox, who snapped a five-game losing streak with a 7-4 triumph in Monday’s series opener, come into Tuesday’s clash just one game back of Detroit in the American League Central. The Tigers had snatched the division lead by sweeping Chicago over the weekend. Minnesota, meanwhile, is at the bottom of the standings, 12 games out and sporting the worst record in the league at 40-56. Monday’s win gave the White Sox a 5-2 lead in the season series against the Twins.

The White Sox have gotten solid starting pitching from a rotation that features All-Stars Jake Peavy and Chris Sale, and DH Adam Dunn leads the major leagues in home runs after hitting his 29th on Monday. Twins LF Josh Willingham is also among the AL leaders with 23 homers, but his teammates have combined for just 50. Minnesota’s biggest problem, though, has been its pitching staff, which ranks at or near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories and is the only unit in the American League to have allowed more than 500 runs.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), WCIU (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Cole De Vries (2-2, 3.95 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (4-1, 2.30)

De Vries lost his major-league debut in Chicago on May 24 (5 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 3 ER), but he has been pretty solid since with the exception of a brutal July 14 loss against Oakland. The rookie has allowed one run or fewer in four of his seven starts, including a strong six-inning effort in his last start against Baltimore (5 H, 1 ER). De Vries is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA on the road.

No pitcher has had harder luck this season than Quintana, who has turned in three scoreless eight-inning starts and not won any of them. His last wasted gem came July 19 in Boston, when he departed with a 1-0 lead only to watch his bullpen give up a three-run homer in the ninth inning. The 23-year-old has been extremely tough at U.S. Cellular Field, where he is 2-1 with a 1.57 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The White Sox are just 25-22 at U.S. Cellular Field this season, but they have won eight of their last nine games there.

2. Chicago 1B Paul Konerko and OF Alex Rios are both 2-for-3 with a home run against De Vries.

3. The Twins are 7-26 in their last 33 games against starting pitchers with a WHIP of less than 1.15. Quintana comes into the game with a 1.02 WHIP.