Minnesota @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2011 ) Chi. White Sox 0, Minnesota 1

THE STORY: The Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox, two teams with hopes of joining the American League Central race, open a four-game series Thursday in Chicago. Minnesota has won six of its last 10, but had its three-game winning streak snapped Wednesday. Chicago is 5-5 over its last 10 after losing the rubber game of its three-game series with Kansas City on Wednesday. Minnesota swept the first games between the two clubs in June as Chicago only managed to score one run in the two games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Carl Pavano (5-6, 4.19 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Philip Humber (8-4, 2.69).

Pavano went 7 2/3 innings in his last start, allowing four runs and eight hits and leaving with no-decision against the Brewers. He has struggled on the road, where his 5.34 ERA is 2.57 runs higher than at home. This will be Pavano's second start of the season against the White Sox - he limited them to one run in a complete-game win on June 15. He is 7-3 with a 3.57 ERA against the White Sox in 10 career starts. Humber has won five of his last six starts, including a seven-inning scoreless stint against the Cubs in his most recent outing. Humber has been especially tough against righthanders, who are batting .162 against him. He is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA against the Twins, but will be making his first career start against Minnesota.

ABOUT THE TWINS (38-47): Joe Mauer didn't play Wednesday because of soreness in his shoulder, but is expected to make his first major league start at first base Thursday. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Mauer's mechanics around the bag are solid. Mauer has been limited to 93 at-bats this season and is looking for his first home run. Michael Cuddyer has hit safely in six straight and is 9-for-20 with two homers and 10 RBIs during that stretch. Tsuyoski Nishioka was in a 2-for-22 slump until going 3-for-3 on Wednesday afternoon, which raised his average to .217. Closer Matt Capps has been under duress since blowing a 7-4 lead against the Brewers on Saturday. His ERA over the last seven days is 4.13.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (43-45): The Sox continue to struggle to score runs - they pushed across nine in the three-game series with the Royals. Adam Dunn (.166, 108 strikeouts), Gordon Beckham (.236) and Alex Rios (.216) have been targeted by the fans for their lack of production. Manager Ozzie Guillen even suggested the hitters eliminate modern techniques (DVDs, hitting coaches) and go back to an old-school approach - see the ball and hit it. However, Paul Konerko is 8-for-21 and A.J. Pierzynski is 9-for-22 over the last seven days. Left-handed reliever Chris Sale has thrown 5 2/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in his last four appearances and has a 0.98 ERA over his last 15 games.

FINAL PITCH: Minnesota's Scott Baker is likely to miss his next scheduled start Sunday with a mild right elbow strain. The team may prefer to avoid any long-term problems by skipping the turn and giving Baker the four-day All-Star break to rest. Anthony Swarzak (1-2, 3.94) would likely take his turn.