Tomorrow, 2:10 PM on FSN, WGN

U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois

Minnesota - P. Hughes (0-0) vs. Chicago - J. Quintana (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon in Chicago, the Minnesota Twins will start Phil Hughes against the Chicago White Sox and Jose Quintana.  Both hurlers will look to impress in their first outings of the season. After seven years with the New York Yankees, Phil Hughes gets a chance with the Twins.  Those seven years in New York were up and down for Hughes with last season being more down than up.   Hughes went 4 – 14 in 29 starts and a relief appearance.  His ERA of 5.19 was mostly in line with what had been seen of him in New York.   Hughes logged over 145 innings despite having some very short outings including one that was just 1/3 of an inning.  In a new setting, it’s the hope of the Twins that he can cut down on the home runs (24 last season) and improve his strikeouts (121 last season)

Hughes faced the White Sox just once in 2013 and that was just 1 1/3 innings where he gave up just one hit and no runs.  Of the White Sox, Paul Konerko has faced Hughes the most with 15 at bats.  Konerko has 3 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.

Jose Quintana is in just his third year with the White Sox.  In 33 starts in 2013, he had a 9 – 7 record with an ERA of 3.51.  He doubled his strikeouts to 164 last season compared to 81 in 2012 but runs, earned runs and hits were up as well. Quintana started against the Twins three times in 2013 with a 2 – 1 record but a high 4.08 ERA.  The Twins’ Brian Dozier has seen Quintana the most and has done well against him.  Dozier is batting 2.67 against Quintana with 4 hits, 4 RBIs and a home run.

Minnesota Trends

Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chi
Minnesota is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chi
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing Chi

Chicago Trends

Chi is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Chi is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi's last 9 games when playing Minnesota

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota

No injuries to report at this time

Chicago 

03/30/14 2B Gordon Beckham Oblique 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 2B Jeff Keppinger Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago

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