Twins at White Sox
The Minnesota Twins will try to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season when they continue a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. After dropping an 18-inning marathon to Tampa Bay on Thursday at home, the Twins lost the opener 6-4 in Chicago.
Miguel Sano slugged a pair of two-run homers in the loss for Minnesota, which has now lost two straight seven times this season but has not suffered three setbacks in a row since last September. James McCann is showing no signs of slowing down in his breakout season behind the plate for the White Sox, hitting a two-run shot and scoring twice in Friday's win. Chicago has won two in a row following a four-game slide and aims for a third consecutive triumph behind veteran starter Ivan Nova on Saturday. The Twins, who placed home run leader Eddie Rosario on the 10-day injured list Friday due to an ankle sprain, counter with Michael Pineda.
TV: 4:12 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Michael Pineda (4-4, 5.02 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Ivan Nova (3-6, 5.91)
Pineda allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts before giving up five runs over five innings in a loss at Kansas City on Sunday, his first defeat since May 5. The 30-year-old has a 5.67 ERA over his last six road starts, giving up six home runs over his last five. He is 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox.
After posting an 8.33 ERA through his first six starts, Nova has produced a more manageable 4.58 mark over his last 10 outings. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer seven times in that span, including in a six-inning loss at Texas on Sunday. Jonathan Schoop is 5-for-13 with two homers and a double against the 32-year-old Nova, who is 2-1 with a 3.72 ERA lifetime versus the Twins.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Twins activated 3B Ehire Adrianza (abdomen) from the injured list, optioned RHP Zack Littell to Triple-A Rochester and recalled LHP Lewis Thorpe from Rochester.
2. The White Sox placed SS Tim Anderson (ankle) on the injured list and designated 1B Yonder Alonso for assignment amid a series of roster moves.
3. Chicago CF Leury Garcia has multiple hits in five of his last six games.