Can the Twins win while trying to get healthy?
The biggest challenge of the White Sox series is trying to get closer to winning the American League Central but also managing the injuries of several players that are banged up. As mentioned earlier, Cruz and Kepler headline the list of the wounded, but others such as C.J. Cron, who is dealing with a thumb injury and Miguel Sano, who played with a sore back this weekend, could also need an extra day or two off to get right.
At times, manager Rocco Baldelli has opted to err on the side of caution as opposed to winning games down the stretch. With a 4 1/2 game lead in the division, but sitting over seven games between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees for home-field advantage in the ALDS, this is a luxury that the Twins can afford between now and a potential postseason performance.
In this series, the White Sox will throw a pair of pitchers the Twins have had success against in Reynaldo Lopez (0-2, 10.24 ERA vs. Twins in 2019) and Dylan Covey (0-2, 13.50 ERA), which should allow Baldelli to get by with his B-lineup.
Although they will also have to face off against ace Lucas Giolito, who pitched a three-hit complete game with 12 strikeouts against the Twins on Aug. 21, there should be enough for the Twins to take advantage of.