Less than 24 hours after an un-retired, purple-clad Brett Farve administered a beatdown of one of his old teams (unfortunately, not the Jets), the turf at the Hubert H Humphry Metrodome was being converted to a baseball diamond- possibly for the last time. Minnesota's new ballpark, Target Field, is slated to open by April 2010.
The Justin Morneau-less Twins won 16 of their last 20 games to force a 1-game playoff with one-time division leader Detroit. This is the second year in a row that the Twins forced a one game playoff (losing to the White Sox 1-0 last year) and the third season in a row that a playoff race was tight enough to warrant a one game playoff (Padres vs. Rockies in 2007).
No word from Detroit on whether or not Miguel Cabrera will be administered a field sobriety test before the game.
Truth be told, I'm not sure who to root for. My initial reaction would be to root for whoever would give the Yankees the most trouble in the ALDS. I'm really not all that nostalgic for baseball under a dome and the Twins have historically struggled against the Yankees in the postseason. The Tigers almost effortlessly eliminated the Yankees in the 2006 ALDS before going on to clinch the American League pennant- but that's not necessarily an indication of performance for this season.
In any case, I'm just glad there's some extra baseball to be played.
UPDATE: 'Extra' indeed! Twins and Tigers tied 5-5 going into the top of the 11th inning
UPDATE: Looks like there's still some more baseball to be played in the Metrodome after all. Congratulations to the AL Central Champion Minnesota Twins.
What a game, unfortunately for Minnesota they now have to face the Yankees with a depleted bullpen.As for the Angels-Sox, Boston has LA right where they want them, in the post season.
ReplyDeleteTigers pen would've been just as depleted going against the Yanks if they managed to hang on, but on paper I thought they matched up much better aginst NYY than the Twins did.
ReplyDeleteWho knows? Maybe playing 3-weeks worth of must-win, do-or-die baseball is an excellent form of practice for Minnesota. No time for them to get complacent.