First Pitch: 7:10pm CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: South Side Sox
This is where the fun really begins...the White Sox are in town for a three game series. The Twins have only played two games so far this season against Chicago, both one run victories for the good guys.
Carl Pavano comes in on a good streak tonight, having lowered his ERA by over two runs in the last month. Over his past six starts, Pavano has posted a 2.51 ERA despite giving up 48 hits in 43.1 innings. At some point, striking out only 3.5 batters per nine innings is going to catch up to him as fly balls start to leave the yard (6.4% HR/FB, below career 9.9%).
Gavin Floyd's 2011 numbers are quite similar to his 2010 numbers, given his 3.89 ERA and 3.65 xFIP compared to 4.08 and 3.69 last season. However, his .269 BABIP does not appear to be sustainable given an 18.7% line drive rate. Floyd's out pitch is his slider, which Fangraphs rates as +12.6 runs above average so far this season.