Paul Konerko is second in the AL with 27 home runs entering Monday.
The Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox are in a tooth and nail fight for the AL Central as they begin a three-game series Tuesday night in the Windy City.
The Twins (63-49) are a half-game back in the division and have a day off to rest on Monday. They’re in the midst of a 10-game road trip, going 4-3 at Tampa Bay and Cleveland.
Minnesota is 17-7 overall in the second half. It’s feasted by going 12-4 against the four worst AL teams (Baltimore, Seattle, Cleveland and Kansas City).
Chicago (63-48) is trying to salvage a four-game split at Baltimore on Monday night. The result is still pending. The White Sox are 14-10 since the break, but they’ve played 17 of those 24 games away.
Chicago is 6-1 at home in the second half and 20-2 in its last 22 at US Cellular Field. The team is also 14-2 in its last 16 opening games of a series.
Freddy Garcia (10-4, 4.54 ERA) will be the Tuesday starter for Chicago. He continues to rack up quality starts with 15 in 20 tries. Chicago has won his last five home starts, with Garcia sporting a 2.72 ERA and lasting at least six innings each time.
The 34-year-old righty would have a 3.26 ERA if it wasn’t for three horrific starts (25.70 ERA). It’s been a very good season overall for a guy limited to 23 total starts the last three years with injuries.
Garcia is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA in three starts against Minnesota this year. The one home start was April 10, two earned runs and three hits over seven innings. He’s allowed a home run in all three outings.
Scott Baker (9-9, 4.70 ERA) will be the opposing pitcher. He was the Twins’ Opening Day starter, but has pitched like a middle-of-the-rotation guy at best. His ERA is his highest since 2006 and so is his OPS (.788).
The 28-year-old righty had one of his best starts at Tampa Bay last Wednesday. He allowed no runs and three hits over eight innings in a 2-1 win. Minnesota has won his last three starts, with the other two versus bottom-dwellers Seattle and Baltimore. His road ERA is just 5.43 for the year.
Baker’s only start against the White Sox this season was opposing Garcia on April 10. Baker got the win after allowing one run over seven innings. His other three career starts at the White Sox is an 8.40 ERA.
Minnesota leads the season series 6-3. Six of those games were decided by one run. The Twins went 2-1 in the only series in Chicago back in April. They’re 6-1 in their last seven overall at Chicago.
Chicago’s Bobby Jenks is still the closer despite struggling this year (5.13 ERA). Minnesota recently acquired closer Matt Capps from Washington for prized catching prospect Wilson Ramos. Jon Rauch is now the set-up man despite doing a good job (21 saves, 2.83 ERA).
Minnesota’s leading home run hitter (18) Justin Morneau will miss this series with a concussion. He’s been on the disabled list since July 7.
First pitch on Tuesday is 5:10 p.m. (PT). Weather should be in the low 80s with scattered thunderstorms.