It doesn’t matter to either the Twins nor the Tigers what kind of odds are being given on how badly the New York Yankees will beat them in the first round of the American League playoffs. And why should it? Tuesday these teams will meet in the AL Central tiebreaker and until that game is final it is the only thing that matters to both.

The Twins are the first-ever team to play in tiebreakers back-to-back seasons but in game No. 163, experience is not going to be the deciding factor. A home field advantage for Minnesota could help, especially since it just may be the last game played in the House that Kirby built, but in eight previous 1-game tiebreakers the home team is just 4-4.

Detroit comes in with a ho-hum record of 10-10 SU in its past 20 games and just one win in four outings leading up to this contest, helping lean the odds maker in favor of the Twins (-160). Detroit’s mark of 7-11 this season against Minny, including just two wins in nine tries at the Dome are also at play.

Starting pitchers are right-handers Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.04) for the Tigers and Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36) for the Twins. For both it is likely the biggest game of their lives but as these teams made a run down the stretch the tension on each start was high.

Game time Tuesday is 5:07 pm ET and after losing on the road in the tiebreaker last year to Chicago, Minnesota has most bettors believing it’s their turn to move on and make the last season under the big white bag a memorable one. It does help that the home team has won four of the past five tiebreakers but in the 19th meeting of the season between these teams it is going to come down to which has enough heart.

Let the baseball playoffs begin.