Eight game win streak, longest since 2011 (note to self: don't look up the Twins 2011 season record). The eight wins have come at the expense of some really lousy teams but the Twins had dug themselves such an early hole that they really needed to take advantage of this momentary lull in the schedule. Especially since the Red Sox, Mariners, Blue Jays, and Yankees are all up next.

Not only are the Twins winning but injured players are returning. Kepler last week, Correa last night, Duran tonight. Oh and the Twins have rallied around a magic sausage. Enjoy the innocence of it all now folks. I am sure the inevitable $30 T-shirts, and "that's another Cub Foods Jimmy Dean Summer Sausage HR by Max Kepler" announcements are right around the corner. Crappy teams, return of injured players, and a magic sausage may have contributed to the winning streak but don't sleep on the fact that the Twins are also not striking out as much as they were earlier in the season. Who knew that putting the ball in play is a good thing! Is it the fact they were facing middling pitchers or did Twins batters change their approach at the plate that has led to less strikeouts? We have 133 more games to find out.

Simeon Woods Richardson on for the Twins and he as been an upgrade over Louie Varland. Facing White Sox hitters should continue that trend. Michael Soroka up for the Whities. He's not really a strikeout pitcher so Twins trend of not striking out might just continue at least for another game.

Freealonzo's "Take it to the Credit Union" surefire winner: Birthday boy Edouard Julien gets two hits today.

First Pitch from "The Rate" at 6:40