By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — As I wrote in an earlier blog post, it appears that Justin Morneau is headed for a stint on the 15-day disabled list as he continues to recover from a concussion.

So the Twins will be without their first baseman for this critical series against the White Sox.

The Twins entered Thursday trailing Chicago by 3 1/2 games in the division race and sitting 3 games behind Detroit, who is idle today. Tonight’s contest is the first of 13 contests that remain between the White Sox and Twins during the second half. So the division rivals will see other many times before this race is decided.

As for other news, left-hander Brian Duensing is battling a case of the flu bug. So Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he wouldn’t know until later whether Duensing would be available to pitch.

White Sox (49-38)
Juan Pierre, LF
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Carlos Quentin, RF
Mark Kotsay, DH
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Gordon Beckham, 2B

Pitching: LHP John Danks (8-7, 3.29 ERA)

Twins

(46-42)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jason Kubel, RF
Delmon
Young, LF
Jim Thome, DH

J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Punto, 3B

Pitching: RHP Kevin Slowey
(8-5, 4.64 ERA)

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