Detroit loses, 6 – 5, to Minnesota in a one-game playoff to determine the winner of the AL Central title. Alexi Casilla singles home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning. The Tigers had led the division by 3 games with 4 to play, and were ahead by 7 games on September 6th before sputtering down the stretch. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera, under a swirl of controversy over allegations of impaired driving and domestic violence, hits an early home run to put Detroit ahead, but is thrown out at home by Nick Punto in the top half of the 12th. It is the last regular-season game to be played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Following the 2010 season, a panel of experts at the MLB Network will vote this the 16th greatest game of the past fifty years.

Detroit loses, 6 – 5, to Minnesota in a one-game playoff to determine the winner of the AL Central title. Alexi Casilla singles home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning. The Tigers had led the division by 3 games with 4 to play, and were ahead by 7 games on September 6th before sputtering down the stretch. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera, under a swirl of controversy over allegations of impaired driving and domestic violence, hits an early home run to put Detroit ahead, but is thrown out at home by Nick Punto in the top half of the 12th. It is the last regular-season game to be played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Following the 2010 season, a panel of experts at the MLB Network will vote this the 16th greatest game of the past fifty years.

Joe Mauer wins his third batting title, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons since Nomar Garciaparra led the league in 1999-2000. The Twins catcher’s .365 mark establishes a major league record for the highest batting average by a backstop.

Joe Mauer wins his third batting title, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons since Nomar Garciaparra led the league in 1999-2000. The Twins catcher’s .365 mark establishes a major league record for the highest batting average by a backstop.

With one out in the bottom of the 12th inning in the AL Central tiebreaker, the Twins beat the Tigers, 6-5, when Alexi Casilla’s single plates Carlos Gomez from second base with the winning run. The Metrodome victory finishes an amazing comeback by Minnesota, going 17-4 in the final month to close a seven-game deficit, and completes a colossal collapse for the Tigers, who become the first team in big league history to surrender a three-game lead with only four contests to play.

With one out in the bottom of the 12th inning in the AL Central tiebreaker, the Twins beat the Tigers, 6-5, when Alexi Casilla’s single plates Carlos Gomez from second base with the winning run. The Metrodome victory finishes an amazing comeback by Minnesota, going 17-4 in the final month to close a seven-game deficit, and completes a colossal collapse for the Tigers, who become the first team in big league history to surrender a three-game lead with only four contests to play.

In his postseason debut, Cliff Lee comes within one pitch of a shutout before Troy Tulowitzki doubles in a run in the 9th as Philadelphia defeats Colorado, 5 – 1, in Game 1 of their NLDS. Raul Ibanez has two RBI for the Phillies.

In his postseason debut, Cliff Lee comes within one pitch of a shutout before Troy Tulowitzki doubles in a run in the 9th as Philadelphia defeats Colorado, 5 – 1, in Game 1 of their NLDS. Raul Ibanez has two RBI for the Phillies.

With their 17th win in 18 games, the Rockies beat the Phillies at Coors Field, 2-1, completing an NLDS three-game sweep of Philadelphia to advance to their first-ever National League Championship Series. The wild-card team will have to beat the Diamondbacks, their Western division foe, to win the pennant and earn a trip to the World Series.

With their 17th win in 18 games, the Rockies beat the Phillies at Coors Field, 2-1, completing an NLDS three-game sweep of Philadelphia to advance to their first-ever National League Championship Series. The wild-card team will have to beat the Diamondbacks, their Western division foe, to win the pennant and earn a trip to the World Series.

The Arizona Diamondbacks complete a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS with a 5 – 1 victory in Wrigley Field. Chris Young hits the first pitch of the game for a home run and Livan Hernandez picks up the win.

The Arizona Diamondbacks complete a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS with a 5 – 1 victory in Wrigley Field. Chris Young hits the first pitch of the game for a home run and Livan Hernandez picks up the win.

The Colorado Rockies win, 2 – 1, over the Philadelphia Phillies in Denver to sweep the NLDS, three games to none. Pinch hitter Jeff Baker drives in the winning run with a two-out single in the 8th inning. Manuel Corpas picks up his third consecutive save as the Rockies win a postseason series for the first time in their history.

The Colorado Rockies win, 2 – 1, over the Philadelphia Phillies in Denver to sweep the NLDS, three games to none. Pinch hitter Jeff Baker drives in the winning run with a two-out single in the 8th inning. Manuel Corpas picks up his third consecutive save as the Rockies win a postseason series for the first time in their history.

In Game 2 of the ALDS at Jacobs Field, the Indians score the tying run on a wild pitch thrown by a bug-covered Joba Chamberlain. A rare infestation of insects (midges), which appeared en masse in the eighth inning, impacts the usually reliable rookie Yankees reliever, who suffers his first blown save of the season.

In Game 2 of the ALDS at Jacobs Field, the Indians score the tying run on a wild pitch thrown by a bug-covered Joba Chamberlain. A rare infestation of insects (midges), which appeared en masse in the eighth inning, impacts the usually reliable rookie Yankees reliever, who suffers his first blown save of the season.

After failing to advance past the first round of the American League playoffs in their previous five postseason appearances, the A’s beat the much-favored Twins, 8-3, to complete a three-game ALDS sweep. The victory, which was the team’s tenth opportunity to win a clinching game, puts Oakland in the ALCS for the first time since 1992.

After failing to advance past the first round of the American League playoffs in their previous five postseason appearances, the A’s beat the much-favored Twins, 8-3, to complete a three-game ALDS sweep. The victory, which was the team’s tenth opportunity to win a clinching game, puts Oakland in the ALCS for the first time since 1992.

Reds’ outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. (.301, 35, 92) and Yankee first baseman/DH Jason Giambi (.271, 32, 87) are voted the Comeback Players of the Year in their respective leagues. For the first time, the fans select the winners of the award by voting on MLB.com.

Reds’ outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. (.301, 35, 92) and Yankee first baseman/DH Jason Giambi (.271, 32, 87) are voted the Comeback Players of the Year in their respective leagues. For the first time, the fans select the winners of the award by voting on MLB.com.