This could be the start of, "Hell Week," for the Twins.
They face the A's today and could be forced to watch them celebrate the A.L. West title if the the Rangers lose to the Royals or if Oakland beats the Twins. By the way, Oakland hasn't swept the Twins in a four-game series since 1981 (!) and never at Oakland (!!).
Detroit's magic number is 2. If the Tigers don't clinch the A.L. Central today they'll do it this week at Target Field. Detroit's rotation for the series, from Monday through Thursday: Justin Verlader, Doug Fister and Max Scherzer.
And Cleveland comes to town for a four-game, season-ending series at Target Field in a fight for a Wild Card berth. The Twins could watch three team celebrate success against them.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire hopes his young players learn from this. He really has been impressed with catcher Josmil Pinto and how he's leaving everything on the field since being called up and hopes his other young players take notice.
Gardy had a great line when asked about Oakland celebrating a title in front of them. ``Well, I just don't want them to swim in our pool, which is usually our dugout here," he said.
(rimshot!)
Gardenhire has fallen in love with Josmil Pinto. ``He's the type of player that helps you turn corners," he said. So Pinto is in at DH today while Eric Fryer catches.
