There never should have been a one-game elimination between the Twins and Tigers. There never should have been any doubts. The Tigers were the superior team but blew it.

There are many reasons for this, many of which fall on the players -- including Cabrerra, Polanco and Granderson (and Ordonez for much of the season).

With Jim Leyland under contract and no one available right now to replace him, which is what will be done given that the owner and GM, and probably the players, have surely lost faith in him, the Tigers opted to put Leyland's good friend, first base coach, Andy Van Slyke to the sword.

Fortunately for Detroit, they will likely still be the better team in the AL Central come 2010. And as the Twins are finding out with New York, you can't continue playing above your weight class when the other team doesn't back down.