Gamethread: Twins at White Sox

The White Sox enter Thursday’s contest against the Minnesota Twins with the best record (21-13) and run differential (+64) in all of baseball. Now, they’ll look to accomplish the rare feat of sweeping the Twins, which would give them a 10-game lead over their division rival.

On short rest, Lance Lynn toes the rubber for the White Sox. He pitched 20 games for the Twins in 2018, and Minnesota fans do not remember him fondly. Carlos Rodón’s start was pushed back to Saturday against Kansas City due to a tight right hamstring and back.

Lynn has been a solid starter this season, recording a 1.52 ERA (2.42 FIP) and career-high 10.6 K/9. Although, he hasn’t been the same workhorse as in years past. Lynn has pitched six or more innings in two of five starts, and he’s only topped 100 pitches once this season. Given the looming Friday doubleheader and packed schedule in coming weeks, it’d be welcome to see Lynn pitch deep into the game and handle the Twins from the start. Minnesota has scored first in both games this series.

Michael Pineda makes his seventh start for the Twins. He owns a 2.43 ERA, but his 4.15 FIP suggests the White Sox have a chance to maintain their recent offensive surge. Over his last three starts, he owns a 4.11 ERA, too. Pineda hasn’t allowed many base runners (0.960 WHIP), but has given up six home runs. The White Sox haven’t displayed as much power this year, though that hasn’t stopped them from launching four home runs this series.

Here’s the lineups:

Tony La Russa is mixing it up for the series finale. Jake Lamb hitting second is an eye-opener, while Yasmani Grandal and Nick Madrigal both get the day off.

The game starts at 1:10 pm CT. Jason Benetti and Steve Stone call the game for NBCSChicago. Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson are on ESPN 1000.