Game Thread: Twins at White Sox

The battle of the AL Central begins today

The White Sox (1-2) will host divisional rivals the Twins, who were just swept by the Cardinals to start the season.

Veteran lefty Martín Pérez will be on the mound today. Pérez had a decent showing during Spring Training, amassing an ERA of 2.25 and 15 strikeouts throughout 16 innings.

Notably, Andrew Benintendi is in the designated hitter spot again. Benintendi was originally expected to miss the first week or so of the season after he suffered a non-displaced fracture of the bone beneath the pinky knuckle on his right hand. In his 10 at-bats since the season began, he has hit a home run and racked up three RBIs and two hits. On the White Sox, that qualifies him for a Silver Slugger.

The Twins are looking for their first win of the season with a lineup that normally might look great, except for that whole winless thing. Chris Paddack gets the start. Paddack had an interesting Spring Training, ending with an inflated 4.58 ERA. While he dished out 21 strikeouts over 17 2⁄3 innings, he also gave up four home runs and nine earned runs.

First pitch takes place at 1:10 p.m. CT in chilly Chicago. You can catch the game on CHSN or listen on ESPN Chicago 1000.