Twins vs White Sox Preview: Pitching Duel in Week 61

Joe Ryan is Minnesota's ace, and he's your best shot at a Twins victory tonight. This guy can eat innings and keep the score tight—that's what you need when your team just dropped yesterday's game 1-3. Ryan has a stellar 0.59 WHIP, which means he doesn't walk many batters. He strikes out about 7 per game. The Twins are 26-28 and hungry to climb back into this series after losing at home yesterday. Watch Ryan attack the strike zone early. That's his style. If he pitches like he can, Minnesota stays alive in Chicago.

The White Sox got a taste of victory yesterday. Murakami and Romo both homered to right field, crushing Twins pitching. Now Chicago turns to Sean Burke on the mound. Burke is a young arm helping rebuild the White Sox rotation. The 27-26 home team smells momentum. Chicago wants to keep rolling and take command of this series. Burke needs to match Ryan's energy and command. The White Sox bullpen has Seranthony Domínguez waiting in the wings. If Burke can steal strikes early, Chicago's offense—which just proved it can hit—will get chances to pile on runs.

Minnesota lost yesterday, but the Twins are 26-28 and won't quit. Cole Sands and Ryan Jeffers are out with injuries, so depth matters even more now. Victor Caratini takes over behind the plate. The Twins know they're on the road in a tough place. They've got to scratch and claw for every run. Joe Ryan gives them a fighting chance. One error, one bad pitch, and Chicago's hitters will make you pay. This is playoff baseball in May. Both teams want it badly. You're going to see fierce competition all night long.