Tigers Twins Game

Minnesota Twins seem to think that 162 regular season games is not enough.

The Twins host the Detroit Tigers Tuesday in a game of American League Central title and a trip to the playoffs. It is the second season in succession that the twins needed a 163: e game to the end of the season, the first in league history.

A year after losing a 1-0 heartbreaker to the Chicago White Sox play in a game, the twins have the advantage of playing at home this time as they look to cap their remarkable meeting in September.

"It's like deja vu, second baseman Nick Punto (notes), he said." Last year, the same. Many of these guys have been through this, however. I think this is the best part of it. This just breeds confidence knowing you've been in a situation like this before. It's fun. We have fun. "

A month ago, the twins were seven games behind Detroit in the division. Three weeks ago, they lost All-Star Slugger Justin Morneau (notes) to a season ending back injury. Last week, three games behind with four to play.

"Everybody copied the Twins, it seems so long ago, especially when Morneau down," said Johnny Damon Personal Data (notes), won the Yankees expected on Tuesday. "A team has to fight and has been a special team for a long time. It seems to not give up. That is the great thing about baseball. You may never know."

The Tigers, who were 11-15 in his last 26 games for the Twins back in the race, are not putting too much on the experience factor.

Manager Jim Leyland present 20 years old, rookie Rick Porcello (notes) (14-9) on the mound for the start in front of 50,000 fans inside the Metrodome will be deafening.

"The atmosphere will be highest of any of these guys have ever been to and I can tell you first hand when I was there for the 87th World Series, when he was called" The Dome Hankie 'and my wife could not hear each other, "Leyland said." But that's okay. Sometimes that works for you, and that sometimes goes against you. "

The Twins hope there is still plenty more Baseball to be played under the same roof before you moves out of targets before next year.