Yankees Fans, Don't Purchase Your ALCS Tickets Yet!

I counted them out many times during the 2009 season.

Due to the lack of consistent pitching through most of their season. Due to the lack of their most potent power hitter throughout September. Due to the fact that they were seven games out on Sept. 6.

Whenever I have doubted the Minnesota Twins, they turn around and put me in a box with a dramatic resurgence.

After battling back to beat Detroit 6-5 on Tuesday night in extra innings, every baseball fan expected a weary group of Twins on Wednesday in their ALDS opener with the New York Yankees. With the exception of a couple of third inning runs, that is exactly what we saw—a deflated dugout of tired baseball players.

With a day of rest today, I expect them to be much more chipper in Game Two with a little more charisma.

Yankees fans might be looking towards a matchup with Los Angeles or their Boston rivals already, but I warn you now, do not doubt those Minnesota Twins. Whether you want to call it pluckiness or grit, they have found a way to survive.

If the Twins do take the Yankees to four or five games in this series, it would not surprise many Minnesotans. We have had so many great and disappointing moments in the Metrodome.

The great, late Carl Pohlad, who brought two World Series Championships to Minnesota in five years, is watching over this ball club and if there are some "Angels in the Outfield" in the Metrodome, watch out New York. Your new stadium and 100-plus-win team could be in for a shocker.