Game one of this series took place Monday afternoon, with the Chicago White Sox (5-6) beating the Minnesota Twins (6-4) 4-3. A three-run shot by Hanser Alberto proved to be the difference for the visitors, as 4.0 clean innings from the bullpen shut the door. It was the first meeting between these AL Central rivals that should be fighting for the division crown all season with the Cleveland Guardians. They'll take each other on again Tuesday night, with Minnesota's Target Field once again hosting. This time, the first pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. EST.
Hanser with the answer! pic.twitter.com/gP8MsT8lYM
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 10, 2023
Before Monday's games, the White Sox were 28th in team ERA, and runs allowed per nine innings. The always-excellent Dylan Cease helped bring those numbers down, but three of Chicago's starting pitchers own an ERA north of 6.50 through two starts. The relievers spelling the starters had an 8.31 ERA (30th) before Monday's game, along with a -0.3 WAR (27th). Chicago has already allowed more than five runs five times this season.
Lance Lynn is getting the start in game two of this series, and his first two starts this season were White Sox losses. Lynn has given up 10 runs, all earned, in 10.0 innings, with four homers responsible for most of the damage. His latest start was a disaster, only lasting 4.1 innings at home. In that time Lynn surrendered nine hits, walked three hitters, and watched three of his pitches leave the park. Minnesota's lineup is shorthanded right now, so this may be his best shot at getting back on track.
Chicago's offense has been productive, but Tim Anderson had to leave Monday's contest early with a knee injury. The two-time All-Star has hit over .300 each of the past four years and entered Monday with a .318 average and five stolen bases. He's arguably the most important hitter in a lineup putting up over 5.0 runs per game, a top-10 mark. Outside of Anderson, Luis Robert Jr. has been fantastic, with four home runs and an average north of .300.