In his last start of the season before the All-Star break, Phil Humber will try to open the White Sox four game series with the Minnesota Twins with a victory for the home team. The Twins have 21 of their last 31 games played, and are starting to take a track similar to the one the resurgent White Sox are on. A series victory sweep of this four game set could go along way toward keeping the Sox in contention in the AL Central race.
Humber, 8-4 with a 2.69 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, has only pitched in one game against the Twins in his career. That was a 2.2 inning long relief appearance, in which he gave up a single home run, while also walking one and striking one. Fortunately, that home run was to Jason Kubel, who is currently on the DL for the Twins.
Minnesota will start Carl Pavano on Thursday night. Pavano, 4-6 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, has had some hiccups in his starts lately, giving up three and five runs in his most recent appearances. In his last game against the Sox, Pavano threw a complete game, giving up just one run on six hits while walking three and striking out five.
The weather in Chicago is forecast to be partly cloudy with a game time temperature in the upper 70's. First pitch is at 7:10 P.M., CDT, and the game will be televised on CSN and FS-N.