White Sox at Twins
The Minnesota Twins were fortunate to earn a split in the series-opening doubleheader and look to re-ignite their offensive surge Wednesday, when they continue their four-game home set against the last-place Chicago White Sox. The Twins, who scored 21 runs in winning their previous three contests against American League Central-leading Cleveland, rallied with four runs in the eighth inning to win Tuesday's first game 4-2 before dropping the nightcap.
Eduardo Escobar rescued Minnesota in the opener with a three-run homer to continue a red-hot stretch during which he has recorded multiple hits in five of his last seven games, recording four blasts and 13 RBIs in that span. Jake Odorizzi hopes to give the Twins another solid outing when he gets the start Wednesday against Hector Santiago, who posted a record of 7-14 with Minnesota from 2016-17. The White Sox have picked it up offensively since the calendar turned to June, scoring at least six runs in three of their five games after winning the nightcap 6-3 with the aid of Jose Abreu’s 10th homer of the season in the first inning. Yolmer Sanchez registered a pair of doubles and two RBIs in Tuesday’s second contest to boost his hitting streak to nine games, a stretch during which he has gone 12-for-36.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Hector Santiago (1-2, 5.10 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 4.14)
The White Sox were 0-13 in Santiago’s first 13 appearances this season, but they have posted victories in two of his last three. The 30-year-old native of New Jersey’s worst performance of the year came versus the Twins on May 5, when he allowed eight runs over 3 1/3 innings against his former team. Logan Morrison has homered twice and Eddie Rosario is 3-for-3 with a blast versus Santiago, who is 3-3 with a 5.73 ERA in his career versus Minnesota.
Odorizzi is unbeaten in his last seven starts but avoided a loss Thursday, when he permitted eight runs - seven earned - across 3 2/3 innings against Cleveland. The 28-year-old from Illinois has not completed more than six frames in an outing this season but has given up fewer than two runs in six of his 12 turns. Avisail Garcia and Daniel Palka have homered against Odorizzi, who allowed five runs - three earned - in 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision versus the White Sox on May 3.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago INF Matt Davidson (back) went 1-for-4 on Tuesday in his first game since May 22.
2. Morrison missed the doubleheader due to back issues and is questionable for Wednesday.
3. White Sox CF Adam Engel has recorded multiple hits in six of his last 13 games, raising his average from .183 to .231.