The Chicago White Sox are just about neck-and-neck with the Detroit Tigers in the race for the first place in the A.L. Central, and that makes games against cupcakes like the Minnesota Twins even more important. Chicago will take the field on Saturday vs. the Twins with a one-game lead in the Central, and with Detroit facing the Cleveland Indians this weekend, there is likely little margin for error.
The White Sox won easily on Friday night, and will be looking for similarly smooth sailing on Saturday. Leading them will be Francisco Liriano, who is back from the bullpen and back in Minnesota, where he spent the first six-and-a-half years of his career. Liriano has struggled lately, prompting that momentary move to the bullpen, but he was solid in his one start vs. the Twins this year and has pitched well in his career at Target Field.
He'll be opposed by Twins starter Samuel Deduno, who has morphed into something of an ace in the second half of the season. He's been especially brilliant at home, where his ERA is 2.51 and his batting average against a paltry .162.
First pitch comes at 12:10 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on WGN.
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