Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Minnesota Twins vs Chicago White Sox: Can the Twins reach the top of the division?
The Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox are starting a three-game series tonight at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Twins are looking to extend their winning streak
The Minnesota Twins are second in the AL Central with a 51-39 record and are 24-21 on the road. The Twins are coming off back-to-back wins against the Houston Astros. Minnesota has a 4.16 ERA, a .234 batting average, a .296 on-base percentage, and 1.19 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Willi Castro leads the Twins with 86 hits and 54 runs so far in the season while Ryan Jeffers is on top with 14 home runs.
The White Sox are the worst team in the league
The Chicago White Sox are at the bottom of the AL Central with the worst record in the league of 26 wins and 66 losses and are 16-29 at home. They are coming off back-to-back losses to the Miami Marlins. The White Sox have a 4.57 ERA, a .242 batting average, a .323 on-base percentage, and 1.37 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Paul de Jong is the best player on the team with 66 hits, 36 runs and 16 home runs.
Betting Trends
The White Sox are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games overall, 1-7 SU in their last 8 home games against Minnesota and 5-12 SU in their last 17 games against teams from the AL Central. Chicago has played over the total run line in 6 of their last 8 games overall, 5 of their last 6 games against Minnesota and 4 of their last 5 games against teams from the AL. The Twins are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games overall, 8-0 SU in their last 8 games against the White Sox, 7-1 SU in their last 8 games on the road against the White Sox and 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road. Minnesota has played over the total run line in 6 of their last 7 games overall, in 4 of their last 5 games against teams from the AL and in 4 of their last 5 games against teams from the AL Central.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Minnesota Twins are 6 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central and only 3 games ahead of the Kansas City Royals. This gives extra importance to the series against the White Sox, which may put them closer to the top of the division but, at the same time, put their second place in jeopardy. The Twins will go with Jorge Alcala, who is 2-3 for the season with a 1.72 ERA, 31 K, 31.3 IP, and 1.05 WHIP. The White Sox will go out with Chris Flexen, who is 2-7 for the season with a 5.08 ERA, 63 K, 85 IP, and 1.39 WHIP. The Twins have won the last eight games against the White Sox and will keep that winning streak alive tonight.
