Game 163: Tigers vs Twins Preview

I had a feeling it would happen, and now it has. The Twins fought the whole month of September and the last games in October and now see themselves in a tie with the Tigers with a chance to get to the playoffs with a 1 game, regular season, tie breaker at the Metrodome. The pitching match up for the game is Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.04 ERA) vs Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36 ERA) for the Twins. This pitching match up looks like a toss up. Even though Porcello is a 20 year old rookie, Baker does not have much experience in pressure situations either. Porcello has also had a better season.

This will be back to back 1 game playoffs for the Twins. They lost a 1-0 heart breaker to the White Sox last year. This year will be different. I think the Twins will win to get to the playoffs. My first reason is the Twins were down by 7 games a month ago and just have the momentum. Secondly, the Twins are not relying on just Joe Mauer. Orlando Cabrera is batting .275 with 75 RBI, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel have launched 32 homers and 27 homers respectively, and Denard Span and Delmon Young have made solid contributions. With those factors in play I believe the Twins will win and move on to play the Yankees in the ALDS.