First Pitch: 7:11pm CDT (Because 7:10 is just silly.)
TV: FS-N
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: South Side Sox
Starting Pitchers
In spite of the six walks he issued his last time out, Liriano has been more effective over his last four starts. The strikeouts are coming, but the command is still an issue. To be the stopper the Twins need him to be, which is a necessary part of the role of the Ace if he's going to be one, Liriano will have to start getting his fastball under control and throw a few more strikes. Not a lot more, just a few more. On the season he's just a shade under 60%, but that's where he needs to be. No more of this 50% stuff like we saw against the Yankees. If he can locate tonight, he'll give the offense a chance to put up a fight and should sit down a fair few Chi-Sox on strikes. Fingers crossed.Lineups
Twins
Denard Span, RF
Brendan Harris, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jason Kubel, LF
Joe Crede, 3B
Carlos Gomez, CF
Matt Tolbert, 2B
White Sox
Scott Podsednik, LF
Jayson Nix, 2B
Jermaine Dye, RF
Jim Thome, DH
Paul Konerko, 1B
Brian Anderson, CF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Josh Fields, 3B
Corky Miller, C
Both of these teams have major issues they need to overcome if they're going to contend for October. Each lineup is weak in certain spots, particularly once you get anywhere outside the middle of the order. Both of these teams should be smelling blood on each other, and seeing the other as a great way to add a couple of wins to the column even though they're weak in their own right. Since Chicago drew first blood last night, the Twins need to respond with a victory tonight.
As always, the Twins need to get through the Dye-Thome-Konerko trio. Outside of those three, they just need to limit their opportunities by staying ahead in counts and keeping the ball in the park. If I'm the White Sox, I'm going after both Span and Harris to make sure nobody's on base for Mauer-Morneau-Cuddyer-Kubel-Crede.