After yesterday’s game I’m sure some fans are wondering what the weather will be like in Chicago for tonight’s game. So here’s whats expected:

Image from accuweather . com

Game Time: 7:30 EST on TBS.

Probable Pitchers:

Twins: Nick Blackburn whose tRA+ is 98 and xFIP is 4.55.  Blackburn has had a pretty good year for the Twins regardless of his numbers compare to other pitchers.  Most Twins fans wish that Scott Baker was scheduled to pitch this game, but suffice it to say: I’m glad Glen Perkins or even worse Livian Hernandez is not pitching in this game.  Blackburn was effective in his start against the White Sox last week: heres hoping he can repeate that performance tonight.

White Sux: John Danks whose tRA+ is 124 and xFIP is 3.94. Dank’s career ERA is 6.88 versus the Minnesota Twins.  This largely due to the fact that the 3-4-5 hitters in the Minnesota batting order have destroyed him. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel are a combined 18-for-35 (.514 average) with 7 extra-base hits against Danks over the past 2 seasons. Again hopefully this trend continues tonight.

In the first two games Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn came through and gave the Twins a chance to win by keeping the Sox off-balanced and largely off the base paths.  After they were out of the game, the Twin’s bullpen held together and maintained the leads.  This combination was effective in enabling the Twins to win the first two games.  But this is a three game series and the game left to go may prove to be the most important of the series.

The final game lands in Kevin Slowey’s lap.  K-Slow has been very good this year, and I hope that he will continue the trend that Baker and Blackburn started.  The Twins will need to continue to stay aggressive on the bases as they are facing Gavin Floyd, whom they’ve had some trouble against this season.  They’ll need to manufacture as many runs as they can.  But most of the pressure is on the White Sox, who have to view this game as a must win.  Here’s hoping they play tight tonight.

The game tonight is for all of the marbles.  A Twins win will give them a half game lead in the AL Central with three games to go, and  therefore a very good chance to make the post season.  This will be a great game to watch and I’m sure the Metrodome will be packed. If you go make sure to bring a broom, or at least a picture of a broom.

It has been a good week to be a Twins fan. I hope next week will be another good week to be a Twins fan.

Go Twins!  Finish the sweep of the Pale Hose from southern Chicago.

Probable Pitchers:

Minnesota: Nick Blackburn (Era: 3.71; tRA+: 107)

Royals: Brian Bannister (Era: 5.56; tRA+: 81)

The Twins need to win this series at home to stay close to the White Sox in the AL Central playoff race.

Go Twins!

Duchscherer (10-8)

Blackburn (9-6)

Tonight the Twins start their series with the Oakland A’s.  Hopefully Blackburn gets this series off on the right foot, with a quality start.  The bullpen could use a rest after their largely unsuccessful weekend.  Lets go Twins!