Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins: Home Opener Preview
By Brian Draus
Mar 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Hector Noesi (48) pitches against the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Personally, if the Chicago White Sox start out on the road I get just as excited about the home opener at U.S. Cellular Field as I do Opening Day, which is the case for this season.
While Chris Sale or Jeff Samardzija won’t be on the mound, Hector Noesi will get to prove if his run towards the end of last year was progress or a fluke.
The opponent for the White Sox, which is the Minnesota Twins, have looked awful so far this year and I couldn’t be happier that the White Sox are opening up their home slate against them.
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Minnesota got destroyed in Detroit in a three-game series to start the season by scores of 4-0, 11-0 and 7-1 (a combined 22-1), and the White Sox will be looking to do the same.
Here is a preview:
• Where to Watch: CSN (3:10 p.m. CT), MLB.TV (Out of Market), MLB Extra Innings (Out of Market)
• Audio: WSCR 670, WRTO 1200, MLB Audio
• Records: White Sox (0-3), Twins (0-3)
• Pitching matchup: Tommy Milone, LHP (MIN) vs. Hector Noesi, RHP (CHW)
In his career against the Twins, Noesi is 2-1 with a 4.19 ERA. He has struck out Twins batters a total of 24 times in 38.2 innings pitched.
Milone is 1-0 in 24.2 innings against the White Sox. He holds a 1.82 ERA against them with 19 strikeouts.
With the White Sox struggling in Kansas City, it is good to see them back at home versus a lower-tier MLB team such as the Twins. Considering the fact that Minnesota is the one team in the division not expected to contend, it would be a good idea to win the series at the least, hopefully at least two-of-three.
While I understand that it is only the second series of the season, this is a series that the White Sox need to dominate. The Twins only managed one run in Detroit over three games, while their pitching got absolutely shelled.
Opponent to Watch:
Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer (7) at bat in front of Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (13) at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Mauer has always hurt the White Sox, and is hitting .316 with five home runs and 20 RBIs since the start of the 2012 season.
Mauer is the key to the Twins offense, considering he was once an MVP Candidate. While Mauer’s career has been greatly impacted by injuries, he is still a very good hitter that is far and away the best the Twins have.
Expectations:
Here is my expectation for this game/series. With the Sox getting away from Kansas City, who has the best defense in the majors, expect a lot more hits for the South Siders. Not to mention the fact that the Twins pitching staff is poor, which means the White Sox should be scoring a lot more runs than they did versus the Royals, who played like they were the reigning American League champions.
Considering the White Sox will be in front of their home fans for the first time all year, and versus a poor team, I expect them to pick up their first win of the season on Friday.