By day’s end, the Twins either will be eliminated, tied with the Tigers, or one game back with one day remaining in the season.

The drama starts at 3:10 p.m., when Nick Blackburn, making his first career start on three day’s rest, makes his first pitch. Blackburn will be opposed by Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke. The Tigers and White Sox are scheduled to start at 6:05 p.m.

Each Greinke start feels like it has postseason implications for the Royals, as he chases his first career Cy Young, so there will be a lot at stake for both teams.

The Twins are going with the same lineup they used against Greinke last Sunday in Kansas City, in a 4-1 loss. Greinke gave up seven hits and two walks in seven innings that day, and the Twins had chances, but managed just the one run.

Note: The Twins have been notified that if a one-game tiebreaker is needed to determine the AL Central champion, it will be at the Metrodome on Tuesday at 4 p.m., Central, televised by TBS.

Update: Brian Duensing will be available in relief today, and Carl Pavano would start Sunday on three day’s rest if it’s a meaningful game for the Twins. Duensing would be available in relief Sunday, if meaningful, and he would start Sunday on regular rest if not used today and if Twins are eliminated.

(*) I asked Manager Ron Gardenhire if the Twins were mildly encouaged by last Sunday’s effort against Greinke.

“That’s your angle? That’s the best you can do?” he said. “Listen, we’re encouraged because we’re swinging the bats well, we scored some runs last night, scored runs in Detroit off pretty good pitchers, too. We’ve faced [Roy] Halladay and beat him. We’ve battled against [Justin] Verlander, Greinke — we’ll take our chances. We’ll do the best we possibly can. This team’s got a lot of gumption about it, so we’ll just see what we can do. He’s pretty good.”

ROYALS (65-95)

1. Willie Bloomquist, LF
2. Mitch Maier, CF
3. Billy Butler, 1B
4. Mike Jacobs, DH
5. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
6. Mark Teahen, RF
7. Miguel Olivo, C
8. Alex Gordon, 3B
9. Luis Hernandez, SS

Starting pitcher: Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.06 ERA)

TWINS (84-76)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jason Kubel, RF
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Jose Morales, DH
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Starting pitcher: Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.08 ERA)

Metrodome. First pitch: 3:10 p.m. TV: Fox

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