(Best E Casino) - The
Chicago White Sox have a chance to put the pesky
Minnesota Twins away for good when the two AL Central rivals begin an important three-game series this evening at the Metrodome.
Chicago is clinging to a 2 1/2-game edge over the Twins for the lead in the Central standings and has won eight of the 15 matchups against them this season. Minnesota, however, has been nearly unstoppable at home in the season series, going 5-1 within the friendly confines of the Metrodome. The Twins have won three of the last four meetings -- all in Minneapolis.
The White Sox won two of three games at Kansas City over the weekend and handed the Royals a 3-0 loss on Sunday thanks to starter John Danks, who scattered four hits over seven-plus scoreless innings for the win. Danks struck out three and walked one to record his first win since August 16.
Paul Konerko belted a two-run homer and Jim Thome knocked in the other run for the White Sox, who are 3-4 on a 10-game road trip. Javier Vazquez gets the nod for the Pale Hose on Tuesday and he is 12-14 with a 4.32 ERA this season.
Vazquez has lost two of three and four of his last six starts. He dropped a 9-2 decision the last time out on September 18 against the New York Yankees, allowing seven runs, six of which were earned, and six hits in 3 2/3 frames.
The right-hander is 2-0 with a 5.11 ERA in two starts against Minnesota in 2008 and 6-5 in 15 lifetime matchups.
Minnesota just split a four-game set with the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays and registered a 4-1 triumph in Sunday's series finale. Starter Francisco Liriano allowed just one run on five hits while walking four batters and fanning seven for the Twins, who won for just the second time in eight games.
Joe Mauer finished with a double, a triple and a run scored for Minnesota, while Mike Redmond, Adam Everett and Carlos Gomez each drove in a run.
Scott Baker will handle pitching duties for the Twins on Tuesday and he is 9-4 with a 3.69 ERA in 26 starts. Baker is 2-0 in his previous four trips to the hill, having posted a no-decision in his most recent outing on September 17 at Cleveland. He gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 6-4 loss.
The right-hander, who is 3-1 at the Metrodome this season, is 1-0 with a 5.73 earned run average in two starts against Chicago this season. Baker is 2-2 with a 7.99 ERA in seven lifetime matchups with the White Sox.
