Twins at White Sox (Game 1)
The Minnesota Twins look to continue their surge when they visit the American League-worst Chicago White Sox on Monday for a doubleheader that kicks off a huge five-game series. The Twins scored 27 runs over three contests while recording an interleague sweep of Arizona over the weekend to move within five games of first-place Cleveland in the AL Central and remain tied for the league’s second wild card.
Minnesota won its fourth game in a row and 11th in 14 contests with a 12-5 rout of the Diamondbacks while getting another big effort from Eddie Rosario, who went 2-for-5 with a grand slam to improve to 18-for-42 during his 10-game hitting streak. Byron Buxton has matched Rosario with three homers and 10 RBIs during his 10-game run, but the Twins will be without Miguel Sano (tibia) as the All-Star was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Sunday. Chicago had lost six of seven while giving up 59 runs before edging Texas 3-2 on Sunday to end a 2-4 road trip. Jose Abreu is riding a nine-game hitting streak during which he is 18-for-39 with five homers, eight RBIs and eight runs scored for the White Sox, who are beginning an eight-game homestand.
TV: 5:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Tim Melville (NR) or RH Dillon Gee (0-0, 3.16 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (1-4, 4.00)
Melville, who has gone 4-3 with a 2.70 ERA at Triple-A Rochester this year, and Gee both are expected to make their first start for the Twins. The 27-year-old Melville went 0-1 in three games (two starts) with Cincinnati last season, allowing 12 runs in nine innings. The 31-year-old Gee, who is 3-0 lifetime versus Chicago, made one start with Texas earlier this season and has posted a 2.13 ERA - and his first major-league save - in four relief appearances with Minnesota.
Rodon is winless in his last seven outings but has recorded four consecutive quality starts after a no-decision versus the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out, when he permitted two runs over 7 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old Floridian is making his 10th start of the season after beginning the campaign on the disabled list due to a biceps injury. Brian Dozier is 7-for-19 with three homers against Rodon, who is 3-2 with a 3.60 ERA versus the Twins.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox INF Yoan Moncada (shin) has missed two games but could be ready to play Monday.
2. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer, who was rested on Sunday, is 10-for-17 during his four-game hitting streak.
3. Chicago C Omar Narvaez is riding an eight-game hitting streak while OF Avisail Garcia has registered 15 hits over his last nine contests.