The Twins control their own fate today. If they win, this won’t be their last game at the Metrodome.

There will be an hour-long ceremony after this game, win or lose, celebrating the team’s 28 years indoors, and nobody is quite sure what the mood will be like.

The Tigers have Justin Verlander on the mound in Detroit, trying to extend their season, hoping to stop their collapse. The White Sox counter with lefthander John Danks. That one starts at noon, so there the fans packing the Metrodome (with the curtain raised) could be in a frenzy, imagining the possibilities.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland already has predicted a victory for the Twins today. He said last night that his team should expect to have to win today and come back to the Metrodome on Tuesday for a one-game tiebreaker. That would be at 4 p.m., and likely pit Scott Baker vs. Rick Porcello.

(*) Joe Mauer is batting .366, and Ichiro is at .352, so Mauer can wrap up his third batting title today. (Note, if there’s a one-game tiebreaker on Tuesday, that’s considered a regular season game, Mauer might not be officially crowned today.)

(*) If there is a tiebreaker, the Twins and Tigers won’t be able to work out at the Metrodome on Monday. There’s a little event here on Monday — Packers vs. Vikings on Monday Night Football. In fact, as soon as the Twins finish their postgame ceremony today, workers will begin converting this place for football.

Update: An intriguing development in Detroit, as Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera has abrasions on his face and is declining comment on whether he had an altercation after Friday’s game. Here is the story from the Detroit Free Press.

(*) Manager Ron Gardenhire said Baker will be in the bullpen today, just in case.

(*) The Twins began considering a potential playoff roster today, understanding full well that they aren’t there yet, but travel plans need to be made for players who aren’t on that roster, etc.

If the Twins clinch today, they are planning to go with a three-man rotation against the Yankees in the ALDS, with Baker, Nick Blackburn and Carl Pavano. In that scenario, the Twins would likely keep 11 pitchers and 14 position players on their 25-man roster.

If Baker needs to pitch in the tiebreaker, Brian Duensing would likely start Game 1 of the ALDS, and that could change the 11/14 equation.

ROYALS (65-96)

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. John Buck, C
8. Alex Gordon, 3B
9. Luis Hernandez, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Luke Hochevar (7-12, 6.24 ERA)

TWINS (85-76)

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: Carl Pavano (13-12, 5.07 ERA)

Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m. TV: Ch. 29

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.