Why Not 1 More?

162 games wasn’t enough for the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers so they are going to play 1 more game on Tuesday night.

The game was announced today after the Twins beat the Royals 13-4 and the Tigers beat the White Sox 5-3. So now a playoff game is needed to see who will represent the AL Central aka Baseballs worst division in the playoffs.

Heading into September, the Twins looked finished in the AL Central, especially without Justin Morneau who has missed serious time due to a lower back injury. Twins tickets for today's game were expected to be for the last baseball game ever at the Metrodome, as the Twins are moving to the brand new, and outdoor, Target Field in 2010. But today's win over the Royals means there will be 1 more game, which is in the Metrodome because the Twins won the season series over the Tigers.

Although the Twins-Tigers drama has been the biggest playoff race this year, it may not be remembered in the long run. Both teams played in the worst division in baseball, and the winner may just be a sacrificial lamb for the Yankees in the playoffs. However, with the run the Twins are on, they may not be quickly counted out against the Yankees - and the Tigers have the starting rotation to give the Yankees trouble.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, they needed ace Justin Verlander just to force the playoff, and can't use him on Tuesday. Rick Porcello is expected to go for Detroit, with Scott Baker set to go for the Twins, according to MLB.com.

The Tigers have been awful lately going 3-6 in their last 9 but somehow they managed to pull it off and keep a ray of hope alive.

"I'm awful proud of our team," Tigers Manager Jim Leyland told ESPN. "Have we been perfect? No. Do you wish you would've had it wrapped right now? Do you think you should've? Yes.

"But when you also think that people were picking you fourth in the division in the winter and spring and after 162 games, you're tied for first place -- that's not bad."

I love these playoff games just to get into the playoffs as they always provide tonnes of excitement. Who can forget that memorable game in 2007 at Coors Field as Matt Holiday had that controversial slide into home plate in the bottom of the 13th inning to send the Rockies to the playoffs?

The city of Minnesota is already at a fever pitch with the Twins' run, and the Vikings mega-showdown against the Packers tomorrow night. Getting at least one more playoff game at the Metrodome would be the perfect way to close out the Twins' tenure there - but they have to beat the Tigers one more time first.

The Twins vs Tigers playoff begins at 5 p.m. EST, 4 p.m Minnesota time, on TBS (and yes I refuse to call it 'PeachTree TV').

Random YouTube Video