Twins @ White Sox

Who will WIN this matchup?

Minnesota Twins (31-20)

@ Chicago White Sox (32-17)

Starting Pitchers:

Maeda (MIN): 5-1; 2.43 ERA

Lopez (CHW) 1-2; 5.52 ERA

Current odds:

Minnesota Twins: (-175)

Chicago White Sox: (+155)

• The Minnesota Twins looked in trouble when they lost the first two contests of a four-game road set against the torrid Chicago White Sox. But suddenly, the Twins (31-20) are in position to salvage a split when the top two teams in the American League Central finish their series on Thursday. After scoring just three runs while losing the first two games, Minnesota scored all its runs on three homers and received 16 consecutive outs from its bullpen in a 5-1 win over the White Sox on Wednesday. Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano hit two-run homers and Eddie Rosario hit a solo shot to end Chicago’s six-game winning streak as the Twins crept within two games in the division race. Still, the White Sox have won 22 of their past 28 games.

• Chicago (32-17) could clinch a playoff spot with a victory on Thursday. The magic number sits at one as the club looks to be part of the postseason for the first time since 2008. MVP candidate Jose Abreu’s 16th homer accounted for the lone run on Wednesday as Chicago had just two hits. Abreu leads the majors with 49 RBIs.

• Twins right-hander Kenta Maeda looks to silence Abreu and continue his own stellar season when he takes the mound on Thursday.The 32-year-old is 5-1 with a 2.43 ERA but it is his WHIP (0.74) and batting average against (.158) that really stand out. Maeda has allowed just 31 hits and 10 walks in 55 2/3 innings while recording 63 strikeouts. In his last outing, he threw seven innings of four-hit shutout ball to beat the Cleveland Indians on Friday. Maeda, an offseason free-agent signee, made his Minnesota debut against the White Sox on July 26. He gave up two runs and four hits over five innings while picking up the win. Maeda is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two career starts against the White Sox. He also beat the club in 2017 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. White Sox stars Tim Anderson (five at-bats) and Abreu (four) are both hitless against Maeda. Both are also red hot as Anderson is 13-for-23 with a homer over the past five games while Abreu is 11-for-21 with three homers during the same span. However, the players were a combined 0-for-4 against Minnesota relievers on Wednesday.

• Reynaldo Lopez was announced as Chicago’s starter following Wednesday’s setback. The right-handed Lopez (1-2, 5.52) picked up his first win of the season on Saturday when he pitched five shutout innings against the Detroit Tigers. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out two. The stint was the longest of the season for Lopez, who missed nearly four weeks with shoulder soreness earlier in the campaign. The 26-year-old has allowed seven runs (five earned) and seven hits in 2 1/3 total innings while losing twice to the Twins this season. He has experienced issues throughout his career against Minnesota, compiling a 1-6 record and 6.44 ERA in nine starts. Jake Cave (two homers) and Nelson Cruz (one) are each 5-for-11 against Lopez. Max Kepler (4-for-20) also has two blasts.