White Sox head to big series in Minnesota brimming with confidence

The Twins ran away and won the AL Central last season, and they are favored to finish first again this year.

The Sox head to Minnesota for a three-game series beginning Monday night at Target Field.

A five-game losing streak has dropped the Twins (20-15) into second place. The White Sox (21-13) are tied for first with the Indians and loaded with confidence after winning 11 of their last 13.

"We're playing very good baseball," center fielder Luis Robert said through a translator. "We're playing solid baseball and I think that the mood of the team is it doesn't matter who we're facing. We're going out, trying to beat them. We're not focused on the standings, we're just competing and trying to do our best against each team because we are playing very good right now."

The Sox are starting Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Reynaldo Lopez while Minnesota counters with Rich Hill, Michael Pineda (season debut) and Jose Berrios.

Moncada update:

Based on the gingerly way he walked off the field the day before, Yoan Moncada landing on the injured list Sunday would not have been a surprise.

The White Sox's switch-hitting third baseman has been dealing with a sore lower left leg for much of the short season, and an extended break would undoubtedly be a benefit.

For now, Moncada remains on the roster.

"He's still obviously trying to play through that sore back of his leg," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "They're still treating it so we're going to see if we can give him a break, see if it comes down a little bit. He's been doing everything he can to push himself to be out there."

Pulling back and resting Moncada on the IL might be the better option, but the White Sox want to wait it out a little longer.

"We have to let him go through the whole process today and then we'll come back to it and see where he's at," Renteria said. "We'll know a little more tonight after he's been treated up and things like that and then see how he's doing tomorrow."

Moncada missed the first two weeks of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19. He got himself ready in a hurry but hasn't seemed to be 100% healthy all season.

Moncada aggravated his leg Saturday sliding into second base.

Mazara scuffling:

The White Sox have been hitting for impressive power this season, and they lead the American League with 64 home runs.

Nomar Mazara was expected to be a key contributor with the longball, but the new right fielder is still looking for his first homer after coming over in an offseason trade with the Rangers.

While he is batting a solid .270 with a double and 4 RBI over his last 10 games following a slow start at the plate, Mazara has plenty of room to improve.

"I think he's still trying to find his rhythm and his timing," manager Rick Renteria said. "He's working extremely hard to try to get that to click. The more games he puts under his belt, obviously the expectation is he will come closer to what he's capable of doing."

Mazara was on the injured list for the first nine games of the season after he developed a case of strep throat. He averaged 20 home runs a year in four seasons with Texas.

"He's been going about doing everything as well as he possibly can to give us some pretty good at-bats," Renteria said. "Obviously, you haven't seen the power that he has within him but he's working toward trying to find that stroke and put himself in a good position."