Cruz, Twins aim to restore order in AL Central

The Minnesota Twins begin a three-game set against division rival Chicago in unfamiliar territory.

They’re not in first place.

While Minnesota is slumping through an uncharacteristic five-game losing streak, Chicago has won 11 of its last 13 contests and is now knotted in a first-place tie with Cleveland at 21-13.

Monday marks just the third day this summer the White Sox have enjoyed at least a share of first place in the division. Minnesota aims to make it a short stay at the top.

To do so, the Twins need to get their bats going. Minnesota hasn’t scored more than three runs in its last six contests, going back to the 3-2 win over Cleveland on Aug. 24. The Twins haven’t had a longer drought of scoring 3+ runs since they failed to push four or more across the plate in nine straight games in April 2016.

Minnesota’s offense has followed the lead of designated hitter Nelson Cruz, who is tied for the league lead with 13 homers. During the five-game skid, however, Cruz is batting .188 (3-for-16) with two solo dingers.

The good news is both Cruz and the Twins tend to mash against Chicago.

Since the beginning of last season, Minnesota has racked up 10+ runs in eight of its last 22 contests against the White Sox, including twice this season. The Twins clobbered Chicago 10-5 on opening day and thrashed them again 14-2 just two days later.

It’s a similar story for Cruz. Ever since he signed with Minnesota in 2019, the 40-year-old slugger has logged a 1.529 OPS with 11 homers and 34 RBI in 19 games against the Sox. He has three games with 4+ hits and is batting .452.

In 14 career at-bats against Lucas Giolito, who will start Monday’s series opener for the White Sox, Cruz has registered six hits — three of those being homers — and five RBI.

Cruz will bat third for the Twins on Monday.

NOTABLES

— Chicago has allowed two or fewer runs in 13 of its 34 games. The White Sox are 11-2. Meanwhile, the Twins are 14-1 when allowing two or fewer runs.

— The White Sox have scored 98 runs via the long ball, the longest mark in the American League.

— In his last six starts, Giolito owns a 3-1 record with a 1.80 ERA. He’s fanned 55 batters and walked 14.

Statistics courtesy Sportradar, baseball-reference.com