Chisox Twins Preview

Chisox vs. Twins

Betting Preview

6/25/12
  The Chicago White Sox will welcome new addition Kevin Youkilis to the hot corner on Monday when they visit the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a three-Game series at Target Field.  The White Sox (38-34) acquired Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox on Sunday for utility man Brent Lillibridge and pitcher Zach Stewart in an effort to upgrade their offense and provide a solution for a problem spot at third base.   Chicago saw starting 3B Brent Morel hit the disabled list with back issues while Orlando Hudson has not fared well there since shifting over from second.  The team has gotten just one homer and 18 RBIs from the position this season to go along with an extremely poor .168 batting average.   Youkilis had fallen out of favor in Boston with the emergence of Will Middlebrooks and has battled numerous injuries over the past few seasons even though he was a member of two World Series title teams.  He went 6-for-14 in his last Four Games with the Red Sox but is career .200 hitter at Target Field, going 6-for-30.   The White Sox took two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend and hold a half-Game lead on the Cleveland Indians for the lead in the American League Central.  They have been an excellent road team at 19-13 despite struggling at home with a 19-21 mark.   The Twins (29-42) are just 13-22 at home and have not played well there against Chicago lately, dropping six of nine last year.  They will be sending Francisco Liriano (1-7, 5.74 ERA) to the mound against the White Sox for the first time since he no-hit them a little more than a year ago.     Liriano got off to a rough start this season but has pitched better recently after going 0-5 with a 9.45 ERA in his first six outings.  He is 1-2 with a 2.67 ERA in his past five starts following a stint in the bullpen and 4-3 lifetime vs. Chicago with a 4.60 ERA.   Jake Peavy (6-3, 2.74) will toe the rubber for the White Sox and won twice in Minnesota last season, allowing just seven hits in 14.1 scoreless innings.  Peavy has given up only two earned runs in losing his last two starts overall covering 16 innings with three walks and 11 strikeouts.  He is 3-1 in six road starts this year with a sparkling 1.67 ERA.