Overview
The Minnesota Twins face the Chicago White Sox in the second game of their three-game series on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at 2:10 PM EDT at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Twins won the series opener 9-7 on Friday, powered by Royce Lewis’ grand slam and Byron Buxton’s two hits. This AL Central matchup is crucial for Minnesota to maintain their series lead and for Chicago to rebound at home. Fans seeking a winning edge can rely on this expert preview, featuring player insights, pitching matchups, and a prediction—unlock more game-changing tips with our exclusive MLB picks now!
Team Analysis
Minnesota Twins
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 59-69, 4th in AL Central
- Performance Overview: The Twins are 3-7 in their last 10 games, averaging 3.3 runs/game with a .206 batting average and a 4.40 ERA. Byron Buxton’s .270 BA and 25 HRs lead the offense, but injuries to Christian Vazquez (shoulder), Pablo López (shoulder), and Simeon Woods Richardson (illness) challenge their depth.
- Strengths: Power hitting (146 HRs, 14th in MLB) and a 5-2 season series lead over the White Sox.
- Weaknesses: Poor road performance (26-38) and a 31-54 record when allowing a home run.
- Player to Watch: Byron Buxton (CF) – His .270 BA, 25 HRs, 61 RBI, and 2-for-4 with a run in Friday’s win make him a dynamic threat.
Chicago White Sox
- 2025 Record (as of August 23): 45-83, 5th in AL Central
- Performance Overview: The White Sox are 2-8 in their last 10 games, averaging 3.9 runs/game with a .262 batting average and a 4.76 ERA. Lenyn Sosa’s .271 BA and 17 HRs drive the offense, but injuries to Elvis Peguero (elbow), Owen White (hip), and Drew Thorpe (elbow) weaken their pitching.
- Strengths: Competitive when hitting 2+ HRs (21-11) and a decent home bullpen (3.90 ERA).
- Weaknesses: Poor overall offense (.231 BA, 28th in MLB) and a 26-37 home record.
- Player to Watch: Lenyn Sosa (2B) – His .271 BA, 17 HRs, 55 RBI, and 2-for-4 in Friday’s loss make him a key contact hitter.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The Twins lead the 2025 season series 5-2, including a 9-7 win on August 22. The Twins are 26-7 against the White Sox since 2023, including 12-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field.
- Recent Encounter: On August 22, the Twins won 9-7, with Lewis’ grand slam and Buxton’s multi-hit game overcoming a late White Sox rally.
- Key Insight: Minnesota’s power bats have dominated Chicago’s pitching, but the White Sox’s home HR potential could keep this game competitive.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twins | Mick Abel (RHP) | 0-0 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| White Sox | Shane Smith (RHP) | 1-1 | 3.60 | 20.0 | 21 | 1.20 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- Mick Abel (Twins)
- Strengths: A top prospect making his MLB debut after a 3.10 ERA in Triple-A, with a high-velocity fastball and sharp curveball that could challenge Chicago’s weak offense.
- Negatives: No MLB experience and potential debut nerves could be exploited by Sosa or Miguel Vargas’ contact hitting.
- Shane Smith (White Sox)
- Strengths: Solid 3.60 ERA, 9.5 K/9, and a 1.20 WHIP, with 5 IP and 7 Ks in a win vs. the Twins on April 24. Effective at limiting hard contact.
- Negatives: Limited MLB innings (20.0) and a 4.50 ERA in his last 2 starts could be targeted by Buxton and Trevor Larnach’s power.
Key Players to Monitor
- Minnesota Twins:
- Byron Buxton (CF): .270 BA, 25 HRs, 61 RBI, hot with 2-for-4 in Friday’s win.
- Trevor Larnach (LF): .247 BA, 16 HRs, hitting .263 with 2 doubles in last 5 games.
- Royce Lewis (3B): .245 BA, 13 HRs, clutch with a grand slam in Friday’s win.
- Chicago White Sox:
- Lenyn Sosa (2B): .271 BA, 17 HRs, 55 RBI, 2-for-4 in Friday’s loss.
- Miguel Vargas (3B): 13 HRs, 27 doubles, hitting .286 in last 10 games.
- Kyle Teel (C): .270 BA, 4 HRs, hot with 6-for-12 in last 3 games.
Recent Performance
- Minnesota Twins: At 59-69, the Twins are 3-7 in their last 10, scoring 33 runs while allowing 44, but their Friday win showed offensive spark.
- Chicago White Sox: At 45-83, the White Sox are 2-8 in their last 10, scoring 39 runs and allowing 48, with their offense struggling to keep pace.
Critical Factors
- Venue: Guaranteed Rate Field’s hitter-friendly dimensions (4.30 park ERA) favor both teams’ power bats, especially Buxton and Sosa.
- Weather: Forecasted at 80°F with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze, ideal for a high-scoring game.
- Momentum: The Twins’ Friday win and 5-2 season series lead contrast with the White Sox’s 2-8 slump and home struggles.
- Betting Odds: Twins favored at -140, with over/under at 9.0, reflecting Minnesota’s offensive edge and pitching uncertainty.
Prediction
The Minnesota Twins hold a slight edge in this matchup, driven by their power bats and historical dominance over the White Sox, despite Mick Abel’s untested MLB debut. Shane Smith’s limited innings and recent struggles could be exploited by Buxton and Lewis, though Chicago’s home HR potential, led by Sosa and Vargas, could keep it close. The Twins’ bullpen, despite injuries, should secure a late lead.
Final Prediction: Minnesota Twins win, 6-4. Buxton hits a homer, and Abel pitches five solid innings in his debut.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: Minnesota Twins (-140) – Their offensive strength and series dominance make them a solid pick.
- Over 9.0 Runs – Guaranteed Rate Field’s hitter-friendly setup and both pitchers’ uncertainties suggest a high-scoring game.
- Byron Buxton to Record an RBI (+125) – His .270 BA and 25 HRs offer strong value against Smith.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 23, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on NBCS-CHI or BSNO.
