Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 12, Minnesota 5

The White Sox had a three-game cushion in the American League Central less than a week ago, but it has evaporated thanks to a five-game losing streak that was capped by three setbacks at new division leader Detroit. Chicago, which went 3-7 on its 10-game road trip, returns home to face a Minnesota club that has the worst record in the American League despite winning four of its last seven. The White Sox have taken four of the six head-to-head meetings this season.

Minnesota’s bane has been its pitching, which has allowed 32 more runs than any American League team and ranks at or near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories. The White Sox have gotten solid starting efforts from a rotation that features All-Stars Jake Peavy and Chris Sale. Chicago DH Adam Dunn is tied for the major league lead with 28 home runs. Twins LF Josh Willingham is also among the AL leaders with 23 homers, but his teammates have combined for just 49.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), Comcast Sports Plus (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Francisco Liriano (3-9, 4.81 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Gavin Floyd (7-8, 4.54)

Liriano, who pitched a no-hitter in Chicago last May, was impressive this year in a June 25 win over the White Sox (7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER). That game was just part of his resurrection from a nightmarish early season — the left-hander was 0-5 with a 9.45 ERA through May 7, briefly losing his spot in the rotation, but he has a 2.84 ERA in his last 10 starts.

Floyd had been fantastic recently before his stint on the 15-day disabled list, turning in three scoreless outings and giving up just four runs in 26 1/3 innings over his last four starts. One of his wins during that span came at Minnesota on June 26, when he pitched seven shutout innings and allowed five hits. He was, however, hammered by the Twins in a May 22 loss (3 2/3 IP, 8 H, 9 ER).

WALK-OFFS

1. Liriano has lost his last two starts despite striking out 25 batters — including a career-high 15 against Oakland on July 13 — and giving up only four hits in 14 innings.

2. Floyd is 5-11 with a 5.87 ERA in 17 lifetime starts against the Twins, getting hit hard by both OF Denard Span (16-for-32, 4 2B, 4 RBIs) and C Joe Mauer (18-for-42, 4 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBIs, 8 BB).

3. The White Sox are 24-22 at U.S. Cellular Field this season, but they have won seven of their last eight there.