Twins at White Sox
After losing the longest game in the history of their home park, the Minnesota Twins will try to muster up some energy at an opponent's field when they open a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Friday. The Twins scored two runs in the first inning Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays before they were blanked over the next 17 innings in an eventual 5-2 loss.
Leadoff hitter Max Kepler was 0-for-8 with four of Minnesota's 22 strikeouts at the plate as the club saw its lead in the American League Central reduced to eight games over idle Cleveland. The Twins burned through nine relievers - including Sunday's scheduled starter, Kyle Gibson - on Thursday but should still have a decided advantage on the mound in Chicago, as ace Jose Berrios will take the hill opposite a fill-in starter for the White Sox. Chicago is coming in with some momentum after stealing an 8-7 win at Fenway Park on Wednesday on Jose Abreu's two-run homer in the ninth. However, shortstop Tim Anderson is expected to be placed on the injured list with a sprained ankle and third baseman Yoan Moncada was forced from Wednesday's game after getting hit by a pitch in his right knee.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota) NBC Sports Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (8-3, 2.84 ERA) vs. TBD
Berrios left his last start after seven innings and 90 pitches due to a blister on his ring finger, but it is not expected to be an issue Friday. He owns a 1.63 ERA in four June starts while holding opponents to a .190 average. The 25-year-old from Puerto Rico got the win after giving up four runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 innings against the White Sox at home last month and is 8-1 with a stellar 2.05 ERA in 10 career matchups.
There is a chance the White Sox could turn to veteran Ross Detwiler, who has pitched in one game in the majors over the past three seasons and hasn't made a start in the big leagues since 2016 with Oakland. The 33-year-old is 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA in eight starts for Triple-A Charlotte since being signed out of the Atlantic League in May. Fellow lefties Kyle Kubat and Justin Nicolino are also candidates to get the starting nod.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins SS Jorge Polanco, who is batting .321, was selected as the starter for the American League All-Star team.
2. Minnesota placed utility man Willians Astudillo on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique and recalled OF LaMonte Wade Jr. from Triple-A Rochester.
3. White Sox C James McCann has multi-hit efforts in five of his last eight games to raise his average to .328.