... is the hardest part, or so Tom Petty said a few decades ago.

At least the Twins know they'll play again. Don't know where, who or when ... Chicago on Tuesday or Tampa Bay on Thursday.

We find out this afternoon when the White Sox and Tigers square off. I don't expect a lot out of the Tigers today; they pretty much laid down and died this month. The pitching coach and bullpen coach are dead men walking — they were told Sunday they won't be back next season, but they still have the jobs today — and their bullpen (which is in worse shape than Chicago's, which is in worse shape than the Twins, which was bad enough to jeopardize the divisional title) collapsed again Sunday. The regular middle infield, Polanco and Renteria, won't make the trip. (Which, to look at the bright side, might mean the Tigers will have some range on defense.)

The best thing going for the Twins in their spectator role is that "Big Game Freddie" Garcia, once a mainstay of the White Sox rotation, is getting the ball and his highly motivated. He's apparently been texting Ozzie Guillen (Garcia's relative by marriage) about beating him for days. Beyond the revenge factor, Garcia is also trying to impress Detroit management. He wants a job next season, and the Tigers need pitchers. (Jim Leyland said last week that the only pitchers he's sure of for 2009 are Justin Verlander and Armando Galaragga.) Garcia's seen limited action since being activated. He certainly hasn't pitched deep into games.

The Sox will start Gavin Floyd, their most successful starter this season. Floyd hasn't done particularly well since Gullien went to the four-man rotation and will be on three days rest. (The only starter who has fared well on short rest for Ozzie has been Mark Buehrle.) Floyd's ERA this month is 5.40. This figures to be a high-scoring affair.

According to the Chicago Tribune, today's game will be on WGN. I believe that if there is a Tuesday game, it will be on TBS.

Assuming the Sox beat the Tigers today, Nick Blackburn will start Tuesday for the Twins against John Danks. Both pitchers are well past career highs in innings this season and both have shown signs of fading. (Danks had two scoreless outings in earlier this month, but both came on extended rest. He'll be on three days rest Tuesday.)

I have more confidence about a series with Tampa Bay than for Tuesday, The Twins figure to have a well-rested Francisco Liriano for the opener, followed by Baker on normal rest. But they have to get there first.