Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins Series Preview
After exceeding the .500 mark for the first time this season the Chicago White Sox dropped three straight to the Cleveland Indians heading into this weekend with a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, who are on a two-game win streak of their own.
The weekend is highlighted by the retiring of an all-time WhiteSox great Paul Konerko’s No. 14 by the franchise on Saturday.
The White Sox are currently 18-20 on the year which is good for fourth place in the AL Central and seven games behind the Kansas City Royals for first place in the division. The Twins have been a pleasant surprise this year and are residing in third place in the division with a 23-17 record and only three games behind the Royals.
In the season series the Twins are 5-2 against the White Sox with a four-game sweep where they outscored the White Sox 31-8 over that span.
Next: Probable Pitchers
Probable Pitchers
May 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) follows through on a pitch against the Oakland Athletics in the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum. The White Sox defeated the Athletics 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
• Friday May 22nd, 2015 @ 8:10PM EST
Phil Hughes (3-4) vs. Jeff Samardzija (3-2)
Hughes registered a quality start against the Sox in his lone start against them this season.
Samardzija had a rough second inning is his lone start versus the Twins this year, but settled down registered a win after allowing 4 runs in 7 innings.
• Saturday May 23rd, 2015 @ 4:10PM EST
Trevor May (2-3) vs. Chris Sale (3-1)
May allowed 10 hits in just under six innings against the Sox on April 30, but surrendered only two-runs and won the game.
Sale for his career has owned the Twins but in his last start against them he allowed eight earned runs in only three innings.
• Sunday May 24th, 2015 @ 2:10PM EST
Kyle Gibson (3-3) vs. Jose Quintana (2-4)
Gibson shut down the Sox over eight innings and was the winner of a 1-0 game on May 1.
Quintana was the tough luck loser in that game as the only run was scored on a wild pitch in the fourth.
Next: Team Leaders
May 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer (7) hits a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the thirteenth inning of an inter-league game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Twins Team Leaders
Offense
Home Runs: Brian Dozier( (7)
Batting Average: Joe Mauer (.284)
Runs Batted In: Torii Hunter (24)
Pitching
Earned Run Average: Gibson (2.98)
Wins: Ricky Nolasco (4)
Strikeouts: Hughes (35)
Apr 30, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago White Sox Team Leaders
Offense
Home Runs: Jose Abreu (6)
Batting Average: Avisail Garcia (.319)
Runs Batted In: Abreu (22)
Pitching
Earned Run Average: Quintana (4.12)
Wins: Sale (3)
Strikeouts: Sale (44)
Next: News and Notes
May 19, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Glen Perkins (15) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning of an inter-league game at PNC Park. The Twins won 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Twins News and Notes
- Fifth in the AL as a team with a .257 batting average
- 4.58 runs per game which makes places them third in the AL.
- 12th in the AL in home runs with 30. Only the Royals and White Sox have hit fewer.
- Mauer has hit 17 career home runs vs the White Sox, his highest mark against any team.
- Glen Perkins has struggled against the White Sox with a 5.14 ERA and eight home runs allowed in 70 innings of work.
May 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox infielder Alexei Ramirez (10) is unable to throw out Oakland Athletics outfielder Billy Burns (not pictured) at third base in the fifth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago White Sox News and Notes
- Third-to-last in the AL in team E.R.A. with a 4.27
- Dead last in walks/hits per inning pitched in the AL at 1.393
- Twenty-eight errors has led to a fielding percentage of .980 only the Texas Rangers and Oakland A’s are worse.
- Sale is a career 7-2 against the Twins with a 3.28 ERA
- In his career against the Twins Alexei Ramirez is a .313 hitter with 17 long balls.
Next: The Chicago White Sox Have Become Competitive