Better Know a Playoff Team: Minnesota Twins

What follows are three truths, except one of them is false.

1. Catcher Joe Mauer set the AL record for OPS+ by a catcher this season at 177.  He broke the record of 162 set back in 1993 by Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles.

2. The small-market Twins have only one losing season in the last 9 years, and they went 79-83 that year.  They've averaged 86 wins a year during this decade with an average payroll around $50 million a year.

3.  The Twins did not spend a single day in first place until the last game of the season.

The Twins last home game in these playoffs will be the last game ever in the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome as the team from Minneapolis will be moving outdoors next season into the brand new Target Field.  That's right, a team that plays their games in Minnesota will be playing outdoors in April.  Brilliant!

The Twins have made the playoffs in 5 of the last 8 seasons but have only made it to the ALDS once (2002 when they were beat 4-1 by the Angels).  This will be the third time they have faced the Yankees in the playoffs, losing each of the previous ALDS series 3-1.