Oakland @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 15, 2010 ) Oakland 2, Minnesota 4

The American League Central race has been decided in a one-game playoff the last two seasons. Barring unforeseen circumstances, such as 90 percent of the Minnesota Twins deciding to retire next week, this year's race won't need an extra day to decide a champion.

The Twins, the hottest team in baseball the last three months, have seen to that. Minnesota is 42-16 since the All-Star break and takes a nine-game lead over Chicago into its weekend series with the Oakland Athletics.

The Twins rolled into U.S. Cellular Field earlier this week and swept three games from the White Sox to end any chance Chicago had to get back in the race. The sweep finished the Twins' domination of the White Sox this season, as they went 13-5 against Chicago.

The Twins and White Sox were tied for the division lead after 162 games in 2008, with Chicago winning the one-game playoff. Minnesota was tied with Detroit after 162 games last season, with the Twins winning the playoff game. Not only are the Twins closing in on a repeat, they could end up with the best record in the league. Minnesota and the New York Yankees are both 88-58, a half-game behind Tampa Bay, which also leads the American League East.

The Twins' run would be noteworthy enough under ordinary conditions, but it's even more impressive considering it has all come without first baseman Justin Morneau, who hasn't played since July 7 because of a concussion. Morneau has driven in at least 100 runs in each of the last four seasons and was the American League's Most Valuable Player in 2006, but Minnesota hasn't missed a beat without one of the best middle-of-the-order hitters in baseball.

Nick Blackburn, whose season appeared to be a washout a few weeks ago, has been one of the Twins' best pitchers since returning from the minors last month. He's 2-1 in four starts and has allowed five earned runs and 21 hits in 30 innings, while pitching at least seven innings in every start.

His best outing ended in a no-decision against Cleveland on Saturday. Blackburn held the Indians to five hits in eight shutout innings, but the Twins didn't score until Jim Thome's solo homer in the 11th and won the game 1-0.

Oakland has lost three of four, including the last two of a three-game series in Kansas City. Left-hander Brett Anderson has won his last two starts, allowing three earned runs and 12 hits in 14 2/3 innings. He held Seattle to one run in 7 2/3 innings and then gave up two runs in seven innings against Boston.