Chicago @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 10, 2011 ) Minnesota 6, Chi. White Sox 3

THE STORY: The Minnesota Twins will welcome the Chicago White Sox for the opener of a three-game series Friday night in what shapes up as a battle for third place in the American League Central. Both teams are still in contention for a division title, although it’s hard to imagine either making a serious run. The White Sox limp into town on the heels of a four-game sweep at home by the New York Yankees. Minnesota returns home after going 4-6 on a 10-game road trip through the AL West.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Mark Buehrle (8-5, 3.21 ERA) vs. Twins RH Nick Blackburn (7-8, 4.49).

Buehrle has pitched exceptionally well over the past three months and should own double-digit victories if not for a slew of no-decisions. He is 7-2 since May 2 and has not allowed more than three runs in 16 consecutive starts. He is 2-0 with five no-decisions in his last seven outings. Buehrle is 25-19 lifetime against the Twins. Delmon Young (13-for-36, 3 HRs) and Michael Cuddyer (33-for-98, 3 HRs) have fared well against him.

Blackburn is 1-4 with a 7.55 ERA and has allowed at least 10 hits four times in his last eight starts. His only win in that stretch came against Chicago, despite allowing five runs and 10 hits in five innings. Blackburn was rocked in his last two starts, giving up a combined 16 runs in seven innings in losses at Oakland and Texas. He is 9-5 vs. Chicago but has been tormented by A.J. Pierzynski (.410), Carlos Quentin (.393) and Alexei Ramirez (.364).

ABOUT THE TWINS (51-60): One night after a five-homer barrage, Minnesota was shut down by Los Angeles Angels ace Dan Haren in a 7-1 loss Thursday. The lone offensive highlight was a homer by Jim Thome, giving him 598 for his career and putting him two away from becoming the eighth player in major league history to reach the 600 mark. He is 11 homers behind Sammy Sosa. Francisco Liriano put the Twins in a 5-0 hole after three innings and failed in his bid to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (52-58): Chicago was on the verge of making a push for the division lead, but the slaughter at the hands of the Yankees extended its losing streak to six games and dropped the White Sox 6 ½ games behind first-place Detroit. One positive for Chicago was the return to the lineup of Paul Konerko, who has missed the previous three games with a bruised calf. He had a pair of hits to raise his average to a team-high .307. Konerko also leads the club in homers (25) and RBIs (76).

FINAL PITCH: The Twins have beaten the White Sox seven of eight times this season and have dominated the series at home, going 24-6 in Minnesota in the last 30 meetings.