Hendriks seeks first career victory tonight against White Sox

Winless in his first 10 major league starts, Twins righthander Liam Hendriks gets another chance tonight against the White Sox.

Hendriks pitched well in his only career start against the White Sox last Sept. 6, holding them to three runs in seven innings.

Chicago counters with righthander Gavin Floyd, who has had his struggles against the Twins over the years. Here's a look at some of their career batting averages against him: Joe Mauer (.436), Denard Span (.517), Alexi Casilla (.421), Jamey Carroll (.412), Josh Willingham (.375).

Casilla and Carroll are both in the lineup tonight, with Brian Dozier getting the night off.

Stat of the day

This is one of those that's hard to believe. As ESPN Stats and Info notes, courtesy of Elias, Mauer is 9-for-9 in his past nine at-bats against Floyd. Checking on Baseball-Reference.com, Mauer actually has reached base in 15 consecutive plate appearances against Floyd, counting five walks (four intentional) and a hit-by-pitch.

Here's a list of Mauer's plate appearances against Floyd since Aug. 12, 2010: 4-3, 1B, IBB, IBB, 2B, 1B, HR, 1B, IBB, HR, 2B, 1B, HP, 1B, BB, IBB.

The correct version of the White Sox lineup is below. Tyler Flowers is catching, not A.J. Pierzynski.

Gardenhire said he'd likely try to avoid using Jared Burton tonight, since Burton pitched the last two days. Gardenhire said it will likely be Glen Perkins in a save situation with Alex Burnett used in the eighth inning.

The Twins likely will promote Cole De Vries from Class AAA Rochester to pitch in Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals. De Vries pitched well on Monday, and Saturday would be his regular day to pitch. Manager Ron Gardenhire said the team would prefer to tell the player before the media, but it's clear that's the way they're leaning.

Brian Duensing's next start will come Friday against the Royals.

P.J. Walters said his shoulder felt good in a bullpen session today. If things keep going well, he'll make a minor-league rehab start on Sunday for Rochester.

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Ben Revere, RF
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
7. Ryan Doumit, C
8. Alexi Casilla, 2B
9. Jamey Carroll, SS

Starting pitcher: Liam Hendriks (0-4, 7.39 ERA)

WHITE SOX (38-35)

1. Alejandro De Aza, CF
2. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
3. Adam Dunn, DH
4. Paul Konerko, 1B
5. Alex Rios, RF
6. Dayan Viciedo, LF
7. Alexei Ramirez, SS
8. Tyler Flowers, C
9. Gordon Beckham, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Gavin Floyd (5-7, 7.20 ERA)