The Minnesota Twins (17-12) are on the road to face the Chicago White Sox (8-21) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday to open a three-game series. The Twins are embarking on a six-game road trip after closing out a 10-game homestand (6-4).
They won three out of four in their last series against the Royals, taking the finale 8-4 on Sunday at Target Field. Byron Buxton was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He scored two runs and drove in three.
The White Sox are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Rays in their last series, taking the finale 12-9 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Andrew Vaughn went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. Adam Haseley went 4 for 5 with three runs and one RBI.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Twins have won two of three in the season series between the AL Central rivals, including a 3-1 victory in their most recent meeting on April 12 at Target Field. Sonny Gray threw five scoreless innings – striking out five – to get the win, and Jhoan Duran pitched the ninth to earn his third save.
ON THE MOUND
Joe Ryan (5-0, 2.81 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Minnesota. The RHP is tied for the league lead in wins. Ryan allowed two runs (one earned) over seven innings in his last start, a 6-2 road win over the Yankees on April 25.
He got the win, scattering seven hits while striking out seven. Ryan is making his first appearance against the White Sox this season. Ryan made one start against the White Sox in 2022, a 9-8 road loss on July 6. He surrendered three runs on five hits over four innings, striking out three and walking two.
For Chicago, RHP Michael Kopech (0-3, 7.01 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins. Kopech made three appearances against the Twins in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 14 and walking nine over 14.2 innings (1-1, 4.91).
In his last start on Wednesday, Kopech took the loss on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out four and walking two in the 8-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .237/.310/.413. Buxton leads the team in OPS at .881. The right fielder is slashing .258/.324/.557 with seven home runs, 17 RBIs, and 19 runs over 26 games.
Over the last five games, though, Minnesota has averaged 6.2 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.250/.330/.506). Against righties like Kopech this season, the Twins have a .748 OPS. Buxton also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .955 OPS in 78 at-bats.
Chicago is slashing .235/.296/.379 for the season and averaging 4.1 runs per game. Vaughn leads the team with a .792 OPS. The second baseman has three home runs, 20 RBIs, and 12 runs scored with a slash line of .255/.358/.434.
The Sox have a .667 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fifth lowest in the league. With a .849 OPS over 63 at-bats, Yasmani Grandal has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 7-6 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 3.4 runs. Chicago has gone 4-9 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 7.8.
The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at Guaranteed Rate Field, though Minnesota has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.2-4.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by three games over the Guardians. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, nine games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
