Jim Souhan: Twins live to wait another day

During spring training, Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer handed out T-shirts that read: "162+." Now, seven months later, the emphasis is suddenly on the plus.

After 162 regularly scheduled games culminating in their 6-0 victory over Kansas City on Sunday at the Metrodome, the Twins stood alone in first place. But in a strange twist of fate, they are not yet champions of the American League Central.

Instead of celebrating their victory with champagne showers in the clubhouse, the players exchanged subdued hugs on the field. For the first time in franchise history, the Twins hope to clinch a title while watching TV the day after their regular season ended, knowing that, for the first time, they may be headed for a one-game playoff.

"This is probably fitting, the way this season has gone," reliever Joe Nathan said. "The shirts said '162-plus,' and here we are. I'm going to blame this all on Cuddy."

The Twins' victory gave them a half-game lead over the Chicago White Sox, whose 5-1 victory Sunday over Cleveland was posted during the seventh inning at the Metrodome.

The White Sox today will play a makeup game -- their 162nd game -- against Detroit in Chicago. The Twins plan to watch that game in the Metrodome clubhouse, with champagne at the ready.

Toward bigger things

"It was good to win today," catcher Joe Mauer said. "But we're trying to do bigger things here."

If the White Sox beat Detroit, they will pull into a tie with the Twins, forcing a one-game playoff Tuesday in Chicago. If the White Sox lose to Detroit today -- or if the Twins beat the White Sox in a potential playoff Tuesday -- the Twins will be division champions and on Thursday will begin the American League Division Series in St. Petersburg, Fla., against Tampa Bay.

For the Twins, the road to the World Series would require more detours than Interstate 35W. "Mike Redmond had that shirt down in the dugout," Cuddyer said of the Twins' backup catcher. "Hey, it's going to be 162-plus no matter what. If we get past 162, that means we're still in it."

Mauer's race mirrored his team's on Sunday. St. Paul's favorite catcher finished 162 games with the highest batting average in the American League. To officially win his second batting title though, he will need to maintain his lead if forced to play Tuesday, because statistics from that game would count toward his regular season totals.

"Yeah, it's a pretty exciting day," he said. "Too bad we're not pouring champagne on each other right now. But maybe soon."

The Twins and White Sox have stumbled toward the finish line, marathoners feeling the lactic acid in their legs. The Sox had lost five in a row before beating Cleveland on Sunday. The Twins followed their dramatic sweep of the White Sox with two consecutive losses to the lowly Royals before winning Sunday.

With the reliable Kevin Slowey recovering from a line drive to his right wrist, the Twins will turn to Nick Blackburn to start against Chicago on Tuesday, if necessary.

Blackburn has struggled on the road and in Chicago this season, and can only hope to mirror the performance of Scott Baker, who said Sunday that he relished the chance to extend the Twins' season. Baker the Out-Maker pitched seven shutout innings before yielding to the Twins' new Señor Smoke, Venezuelan lefty Jose Mijares, and Nathan.

"Why do you spend all that time preparing, if you don't want to pitch in a game like this?" Baker said. "I can't imagine not enjoying an opportunity like this."

Mauer, as usual, was more succinct when asked what he liked about Baker's outing: "Zeroes," he said.

Zeroes. That will be the difference between the Twins and the White Sox should Chicago win today: Both teams will have identical home, road and league records.

If that happens, the Twins will begin the "plus" portion of their schedule, with the fate of Mauer's batting title -- not to mention the entire season -- at stake.

"We'll enjoy watching the game, and be fans for a day," Nathan said. "But we're all ready to go to Chicago."

Jim Souhan can be heard Sundays from 10 a.m.-noon on AM-1500 KSTP. jsouhan@startribune.com