Chicago @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2012 ) Chi. White Sox 6, Minnesota 0
The Chicago White Sox made the move to bolster their pitching rotation for precisely this possibility - they need every win they can get down the stretch to preserve a slim American League Central lead. Left-hander Francisco Liriano will face his former team for the second time since being traded to the White Sox in July, as visiting Chicago tries to hang onto its one-game division lead over Detroit.
The White Sox have won 12 of 16 against the Twins this season after a 6-0 victory in the series opener. Chris Sale and two relievers combined for a four-hitter. Kevin Youkilis, Chicago's other major midseason acquisition, homered in the win, which snapped a brief two-game skid and a streak of four straight road losses. The White Sox have lost nine of 11 away from home.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, WGN, Fox Sports North
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Francisco Liriano (2-1, 5.53 ERA) vs. Twins RH Samuel Deduno (6-3, 3.55)
Liriano will try to snap out of his recent funk against his former club. He held the Twins to two runs over six innings in his White Sox debut on July 31 but didn't get a decision. Liriano is winless since Aug. 21.
Deduno has posted three straight quality starts and won two of those outings, but he continues to issue too many walks. He has walked at least three in 10 of his 12 starts. Deduno made his first career start against the White Sox on Sept. 3 in Chicago, allowing two runs over six innings and taking the loss.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox DH Adam Dunn has missed seven straight games with a strained right oblique, but he took batting practice Friday and hopes to return Saturday.
2. Chicago OF Alex Rios is 26-for-60 (.433) with eight homers and 22 RBIs against the Twins this season. All three are his highest marks against any opponent.
3. Twins C Joe Mauer has missed four straight games with back spasms.