The surprising Twins have been flip-flopping with the White Sox for first place in the AL Central for the past couple of weeks. The Twins could find it tough to keep pace with the White Sox this weekend, though, as they begin a four-game series with the West-leading Angels on Thursday.

The Twins and Angels last faced off back in April, when Los Angeles took three-of-four in Minnesota. If the Angels do the same this weekend it could cost the Twins in the AL Central race.

In Thursday's series opener Scott Baker will get the ball for Minnesota, while John Lackey is scheduled to start for the Angels. Baker (7-3, 3.91) received a no-decision in his last start after giving up four runs in 5 1-3 innings against Seattle.

Thursday's game will be Baker's first start of the season against the Angels, who opened as -155 moneyline favorites at most online sportsbooks such as . Check out the baseball betting trends and full matchup reports in the PointSpread.com baseball stats section.

Lackey (10-2, 3.22) picked up a win against Cleveland last time out after allowing three runs in six innings. Lackey was on the DL when the Twins and Angels clashed back in April.

The rest of the pitching matchups in the series include Glen Perkins (10-3, 4.17) versus Joe Saunders (14-5, 3.14) on Friday, Nick Blackburn (9-7, 3.71) versus Jon Garland (11-8, 4.33) on Saturday, and Kevin Slowey (10-8, 3.78) versus Ervin Santana (13-5, 3.39) on Sunday.

The White Sox get a travel day on Thursday, but they'll also be in tough this weekend at home against the East-leading Rays. Recent injury troubles haven't slowed down the Rays, as they continue to hold off Boston in the AL East.

The Rays and White Sox have already met seven times this season, with Tampa Bay holding a slight edge with four wins.

In Friday's game the pitching matchup will be Edwin Jackson for Tampa Bay and John Danks for Chicago. Jackson (9-8, 3.97) allowed only one run in six innings against Texas in his last start, but still took the loss in a 3-0 Tampa Bay defeat.

Jackson hasn't fared well against Chicago this season with an 0-2 record and an 8.71 ERA in two starts against them. Danks (10-5, 3.11) pitched the ChiSox past Oakland last time out after giving up only one run in six innings.

In two starts against Tampa Bay this season Danks has been brilliant with a 2-0 record and a 0.69 ERA.

Also scheduled to pitch in this series are Scott Kazmir (9-6, 3.21) and Javier Vazquez (10-10, 4.34) on Saturday, and Andy Sonnanstine (13-6, 4.37) and Mark Buehrle (11-10, 3.91) on Sunday.

Get MLB picks from the experts by clicking the Buy Picks tab at the top. And to get all the latest live baseball odds and to get the best value for your wager, visit the Live Odds section here.