Minneapolis, MN (My Sportsbook) - The Minnesota Twins will continue to prepare themselves for the postseason this evening when they take on the Chicago White Sox in the first of the final series of the season.

Minnesota has long ago locked up the AL Central title and has had it in neutral for the past couple weeks. The Twins have lost four of their last six, including an 8-4 decision on Thursday.

Torii Hunter homered and finished with two hits and two RBI for Minnesota in the losing effort. Corey Koskie added two hits in the defeat for the Twins.

Mike Jackson (2-3) absorbed the defeat for the Twins in relief of Brad Radke. Jackson was tagged for three runs on four hits in only one inning. Radke surrendered four hits and two runs over six innings.

Chicago has been very good lately to get above .500, but its hot streak came way too late. The White Sox have won 10 of their last 13 games overall, including a 3-2 victory over Boston on Thursday.

Magglio Ordonez belted a two-run homer to pace the White Sox to the victory. Frank Thomas, who may have played his last game in Comiskey Park, went 1- for-3 and also drove in a run for Chicago.

Dan Wright (14-12) held Boston scoreless through the first seven innings before being charged with two runs in the eighth. Wright, who won his fourth straight start, finished allowing just three hits while walking three and striking out six.

Keith Foulke tossed a perfect ninth to record his 11th save of the season.

Chicago will send birthday boy Jon Rauch to the hill this evening. Rauch, who turns 24 today, has won his last two decisions, including a win over Minnesota turns 24 today, has won his last two decisions, including a win over Minnesota last week. The big righthander surrendered four hits and two runs over five innings en route to the victory. He fanned four and walked one in the contest.

Rauch will be toeing the rubber against Minnesota for just the second time in his career. The righty has been successful on the road this year, tallying a 1-0 mark with a 2.16 ERA versus the Twins.

Minnesota will pin its hopes on veteran righthander Joe Mays this evening. Mays has lost three of his last four starts, including a defeat to Chicago last week. The 26-year-old was tagged for seven hits and seven runs over four innings, while walking two and not fanning anyone in the defeat.

Mays has been unsuccessful against the White Sox this year, going 0-2 with an 8.78 ERA. For his career, Mays has tallied a 6-2 mark with a 3.68 ERA versus Chicago.

These squads have split 16 contests this season with the Twins owning a slight 4-3 advantage at the Metrodome. Minnesota has won 11 of the last 16 contests at home in the series.