Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (-1.5, 8.5)
For the second year in a row, 162 games aren't enough to decide the AL Central division title. The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins will square off in Minneapolis on Tuesday for a trip to the postseason and an opening round playoff matchup against the New York Yankees.
Resilient Twins force a tie
On September 6th, the Twins were seven games out of first place with only 26 games to play. A week later, the club lost 2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau for the rest of the year due to an injury. Somehow, Minnesota overcame the loss of Morneau to win 16 of its last 20 games and force a tie.
While the Twins surged, the Tigers slumped. Detroit struggled to an 11-15 finish and was unable to wrap up the title. Even a three-game lead with four to play wasn't enough for Detroit.
The Twins’ comeback has brought back memories of the 2006 campaign. Three years ago, the Tigers held a 10-game lead over Minnesota in early August. Detroit went 19-31 in its last 50 games, while the Twins went 30-20 over the same stretch to steal the division. The Tigers still landed a wild-card spot and ultimately went on to win the AL Pennant.
Young hurlers set to square off
Because Detroit had to use ace right-hander Justin Verlander on Sunday, the Tigers will have to pin their hopes on a 20-year-old rookie to keep their season alive. Right-hander Rick Porcello has registered 14 victories for the Tigers in 2009. He has pitched his best baseball down the stretch, going 5-2 with a 3.19 ERA since August. While he has posted two strong efforts at home against the Twins this season, Porcello has a 6.30 ERA in two starts at the Metrodome.
The Twins will turn to righty Scott Baker on Tuesday. He delivered a clutch effort on Thursday at Detroit to keep the Twins alive in Minnesota's 8-3 win. Baker didn't allow an earned run in five innings after struggling against the Tigers earlier in the year. He’s posted a 13-3 record since June and leads the club in wins with 15.
Metrodome still open for Twins
While the fans and players of the Twins are eagerly looking forward to playing outdoors at the new Target Field in 2010, they aren't quite ready to close the garbage bag on the Metrodome. The atmosphere in the dome played a critical role in world championships for the Twins in 1987 and 1991. Because of their 11-7 regular season series edge over the Tigers, the Twins will get at least one more opportunity to take the field at the Metrodome.
This year, Minnesota is 48-33 at home with a 9-1 mark to close the regular season in Minneapolis. In contrast, the Tigers are just 35-46 on the road with only two wins in nine efforts at the dome this season.
Even with Morneau on the shelf, the Twins appear to have a slight edge offensively over Detroit. Minnesota finished fourth in the league in runs scored while Detroit finished 11th. The Tigers fared better on the mound with the AL's fifth best team ERA compared to Minnesota's 11th ranking.