(Sports Network) - The Minnesota Twins start what they hope is not their final series ever at the Metrodome this evening, when they hope to stave off playoff elimination in the opener of a three-game set with the Kansas City Royals.

The Twins managed to stay alive in the race for the American League Central title on Thursday, as Orlando Cabrera went 2-for-5 with a three-run double and scored once to help Minnesota to an 8-3 win against the Detroit Tigers.

Scott Baker (15-9) got the win on Thursday after he threw five innings and was charged with one unearned run on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Five other Minnesota pitchers combined to throw the final four innings, giving up two unearned runs on two hits and three walks.

"However this turns out, we definitely had to win [Thursday]," said Baker. "It's nice to know that we can win a ballgame in a must-win situation."

Joe Mauer had two hits and drove in two runs, while Denard Span had an RBI and scored twice for the Twins, who split the critical four-game set and are now two games back of the Tigers in the division standings.

Detroit, which has a magic number of two, hosts Chicago for its final three games of the season.

To earn the division outright, the Twins would have to sweep the Royals while the White Sox would need to sweep the Tigers at Comerica Park. To force a one- game tiebreaker for the division title, the Twins would have to sweep Kansas City and Detroit would have to lose two of three, or Minnesota would need to win two of three and have Chicago sweep the Tigers.

"We beat the ball around pretty decent and we finally broke it loose," said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire of Thursday's game. "We did what we had to do, and now we have to go home and sweep and see what happens."

Should a one-game playoff be needed, Minnesota would host the extra game against Detroit by virtue of winning the season series. That contest would likely be Tuesday, because the NFL's Vikings are playing Monday night at the Metrodome.

Adding to the intrigue this weekend is the fact that this could be the last baseball series ever played at the Metrodome, as next year the Twins will play in brand-new open-air Target Field. The Twins are raising the curtain on Saturday and Sunday to allow for more than 50,000 to be in attendance for each of those contests.

"It's going to be big," Span said. "I know a lot of old former players are going to be there, and I know a lot of fans are going to be there. There wouldn't be any way better to take the dome out than to take the division."

Heading to the hill tonight for the Twins will be righty Jeff Manship, who is 0-1 with a 5.81 ERA. The rookie hasn't been effective in his four previous starts, pitching fewer innings in each one. However, he did pitch 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Francisco Liriano, the man he is replacing in the rotation, on Sunday.

This will be Manship's first-ever start against the Royals.

Kansas City, meanwhile, will pin its hopes on lefty Lenny DiNardo, who is 0-2 with a 7.52 ERA. Dinardo lost to the Twins on Saturday, as he allowed seven runs (3 earned) and eight hits in five innings.

He is 0-2 lifetime against Minnesota with a 3.29 ERA in three games (2 starts).

Minnesota is 9-6 this season against the Royals, winning five of the last six matchups.











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