With apologies to New Age thinkers, it’s difficult to stay in the present moment and not look ahead to the September 23-25 Twins-White Sox series in the Metrodome. Go ahead and label it the “might be, could be, will be the series” of the season for the two teams.
Chicago and the Twins are tied for first in the Central Division standings. It’s been that sort of coziness, and now anticipation about more of the same, that can make the three game series in late September the get together of the season for the White Sox and Twins, a headline-making national sports story.
Home field has been a comfy feeling so far in 2008. The Twins won just twice in nine games at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. The White Sox are 1-5 so far in Minneapolis.
The Twins know the hitting background, lighting, and field surface in the Metrodome, plus they can feel the juice of a large and noisy crowd. That home field advantage figures to help the Twins’ including the defense led by players like catcher Joe Mauer, infielder Nick Punto and outfielder Denard Span. Limiting a team to singles, doubles and triples is always a good idea, but particularly against the homer happy White Sox who lead the major leagues with 178 home runs.
For all the complaining about the dome over the years, it’s been a highly successful place for the Twins who have won two World Series, four division titles since 2002 and are 44-22 at home this season, 26-31 on the road. “As undesirable a facility as it is for baseball, when you put 40,000 to 50,000 in it, the Metrodome becomes a unique place,” said Patrick Klinger, vice president of marketing for the Twins.
Klinger said there’s already a “buzz” among fans about the September series and advance ticket sales are about 20,000 for each game. If the series meets present expectations, crowds are certain to exceed 30,000 and certainly could be higher. Right now the franchise has drawn 30,000 or more for 18 consecutive games.
The games will be played on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Week night crowds trend smaller than weekends and having schools back in session limits attendance. Klinger said the Wednesday game will be Student Night, a season long promotion that offers tickets for $4 each, plus all fans can buy hot dogs for $1 a piece.
No cheerleading towels or other series promotions are scheduled yet, but Klinger said that could change. He and the Twins just hope the opportunity presents itself.