Storylines Abound in MLB’s Final Regular Season Weekend

Thanks to the Tigers and Twins for making this weekend matter. Detroit’s inability to send the Twinkies packing in this last week, most notably during the 4 game series that was split, has left them extremely vulnerable, and may have damaged their postseason plans, should they even make it that far. Although they still control their own destiny, if they lose again to the White Sox today, it looks like Justin Verlander will take the hill in the regular season finale. This would obviously preclude him from starting game 1 of the NLDS, meaning that the Yankees catch a major break. And you don’t want to give the Yankees a break.

But just as the Tigers have been blowing it, the Twins have been doing their part to stay in the thick of things. A well timed first career win from Jeff Manship and a grand slam from Delmon Young for the Twins last night has the Tigers stressed and extremely worried. Minnesota better hope for two more losses from Detroit because it’ll be tough for them to win both remaining games, seeing as Greinke will be going for KC tonight. However, stranger things have happened and this team is extremely motivated right now. But wait, there’s more!

Suppose the Tigers and Twins end the season tied, which is a very strong possibility at this point. That would call for a one game playoff, and who gets home field advantage? Well, that’d be the Twins. No big deal right? Just hit up the Metrodome on Monday night and get this thing done, right? Wrong. The NFL might have something to say about it, seeing as their most hyped regular season game of all time is scheduled to be played there that night.  That’s right, the Twins dare to steal some thunder from the almighty Brett Favre’s matchup with the Packers. So that means that a one-game playoff would either have to be played around noontime or on Tuesday, which makes for a whole new mess with the playoffs set to begin on Wednesday.

Favre eats Twinkies for breakfast.

Should be an interesting weekend. But, in the end, it’s just a little aside, a warm-up storyline to get everyone amped for some playoff ball. Because, let’s be honest, these two teams are both vying for the right to get walloped by the Yankees in the first round.

But wait, there’s more!

Although the NL teams are set for the playoffs, seeding remains a mystery. That’s because the Dodgers have been unable to separate themselves from the red hot Colorado Rockies, who have had an incredible turnaround since Clint Hurdle was axed in late May. Since then, the Rockies have been an unstoppable force under Jim Tracy, so much so that if they win the next two games – against who else but the Dodgers – they will take the NL West, and could feasibly end up with the best record in the National League, meaning home field advantage for their entire playoff run. Three months ago, onlookers would have imagined the Dodgers would be resting players this final series while Rockies players made tee times from the dugout. Now both teams are headed to the playoffs, and we still don’t have a division winner. And consequently, the Phillies and the Cardinals are playing meaningful seeding games this weekend.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…