Nobody had the White Sox pegged for a division race back in March, and here they are hosting a Twins team that's been anything but easy for them this season.
Neither club has a starter posted yet for Saturday, September 5, so this preview leans on the pitching picture in broad strokes rather than a name. Minnesota's rotation has been gutted all year — Pablo Lopez, David Festa, Mick Abel and Mike Paredes are all on the 60-day injured list — and the closest thing to a boost is Joe Ryan, who's finally lined up for a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul as he works back from a glute issue. Chicago's rotation has had its own churn, with Davis Martin (finger) working his way back and Drew Thorpe still on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte.
The bigger issue for Minnesota is at the plate, not on the mound. Byron Buxton is back on the injured list for the third time this season with a right hip impingement and no firm timetable to return, which strips the lineup of its best all-around player. Chicago isn't unscathed either — both Joey Bart and Kyle Teel are out, leaving the White Sox thin behind the plate even while they try to hold a division lead.
Zoom out and the stakes look lopsided on paper: Chicago's chasing a real playoff spot while Minnesota sits under .500. But these two clubs know each other well right now — they play again on September 4, the day before this one, as part of the same series — and Minnesota has been finding ways to make Chicago's life difficult even in a season that hasn't gone its way.
The head-to-head has been tight because both teams have had real form lately. The White Sox are 3-2 in their last 5 games and have won their last game; the Twins are also 3-2 in their last 5 and have won 3 straight as of today, including a pair of lopsided wins over Detroit. Whichever version of each team shows up will decide how much separation Chicago can put between itself and the rest of the division.
For Minnesota, the goal is smaller and simpler: stay competitive without Buxton and hope Ryan's rehab clock keeps ticking toward a return. For Chicago, it's about not letting a thin catching corps or a shaky rotation spot cost them ground while Cleveland sits a few games back in the Central race.
