Scott Baker to pitch Tuesday for Minnesota Twins, then (maybe) ...

Scott Baker will start Game 163 for the Twins on Tuesday, and that means rookie Brian Duensing will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium if the Twins advance, manager Ron Gardenhire said.

[WALGAG TOKYO]

Best of luck tomorrow, Twins. Youve come a long way since the dog days of August. Ive got my fingers crossed over here in Tokyo.

[brachiosaurus]

The Twins have been incredible, and fan support has been incredible, too. The Pohlads are too fortunate. Let'hope that next season they will be willing to give some of it back in the way of acquiring a Cy Young caliber starter.

It's no time to be negative, but Baker, although he seems to have the best stuff of all the starters, hasn't pitched well under pressure. Let's hope that he's at his best tomorrow and that the offense can get to Porcello.(Watch out for Ordonez--he's starting to hit.)

[Rick]

It's time for Scott Baker to step up and show
everyone that he is a big time major league
pitcher. He's got the stuff but needs to make
the pitches at the right time and work through
the tough innings. If he can throw 7 innings and
hold the Tigers to a couple of runs, the Twins
are in.

[fracas]

I like the Twins chances in this one game playoff. I think the Twins are playing with confidence and aggressiveness, and the Tigers know it as well. I expect a solid outing from Baker. The 'pen has been the weak link all season, but Crain seems to have found himself. Add in Guerrier, Rauch, and Nathan and I think the Twins have enough reliable arms to advance to play against the Yankees.

If we are so fortunate as to advance, who knows how that plays out. The Yankees have had the Twins number for a long time, but it is a short series, and anything can happen. While I wouldn't bet on the Twins in this series......I wouldn't bet against them either. They have been counted out more times than Rocky Balboa against Ivan Drago, yet they are still here.

Twins advance. Twins 5 Tigers 3