Kinda OT: 10/5 MNF Pack-Viks Game Potentially at Lambeau?

Thunder Muscle · Post #1 » by **Thunder Muscle** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:40 pm

Very unlikely and probably won't happen, but technically could if Twins force playoff game and get the home game.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... c:_Yyc:aUU

Thunder Muscle · Post #2 » by **Thunder Muscle** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:52 pm

By JOE CHRISTENSEN and JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune staff writers

Last update: September 19, 2009 - 8:56 AM

If the Twins finish the regular season tied atop the American League Central, like last season, it could create one doozy of a scheduling conflict at the Metrodome.

The Vikings and Packers are scheduled to play on "Monday Night Football" at the Dome on Oct. 5.

But if the Twins need a tiebreaker and secure home-field advantage for that game, they would take precedence at the Metrodome that night, forcing the Vikings and Packers to make other plans, according to Katy Feeney, Major League Baseball's senior vice president for scheduling and club relations.

"The NFL is fully aware of it," Feeney said Friday. "That's one of the reasons they schedule those as intradivision games, so they can flip [home sites] if they need to."

The Vikings are scheduled to play at Green Bay on Nov. 1, so the teams technically could trade home dates.

However, that would throw quite a wrench into one of the biggest regular-season home games in the Vikings' 49-year history, featuring Brett Favre's first appearance against the team with which he spent 16 seasons.

That means plenty of plans already have been made, including by ESPN, which will air the game, and thus moving the Monday night matchup would be extremely difficult. In fact, an NFL source with knowledge of the lease said there is no chance the Vikings game gets moved. That's because the NFL team's lease states it has priority over the Twins for any game other than a World Series game, a fact that conflicts with MLB's belief that the Twins would have priority in the Dome that night.

Last year, the Twins and White Sox finished the 162-game schedule with 88-74 records. At the time, MLB used coin flips to determine home-field advantage for tiebreakers, and the White Sox won the toss. So the tiebreaker was played Sept. 30 in Chicago. It actually was a Tuesday night game, since the White Sox needed to play a makeup game with the Tigers on the Monday after the season.

Feeney said MLB strongly prefers tiebreakers to be played on that Monday to get teams positioned for the division series, which open Wednesday.

"Also, getting the fields back to baseball shape is a little tougher than getting them in football shape," Feeney said.

This year, the Twins' chances of hosting a tiebreaker have improved. MLB changed the rules so home-field advantage for tiebreakers is determined by head-to-head record, not coin flips.

After Friday's victory, the Twins trail the first-place Tigers by three games in the standings but lead the season series 8-4, with six head-to-head meetings remaining. The Twins also lead their season series with the White Sox 9-6.

A home tiebreaker, and one major conflict with the Vikings, would bring a memorable conclusion to the Twins' 28-year era in the Metrodome. They won't have these issues next year at Target Field. Lester Bagley, Vikings vice president of public affairs and stadium development, said the team would have no comment.

Newz · Post #3 » by **Newz** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:06 pm

So would the game scheduled later be in Minnesota then?

trwi7 · Post #4 » by **trwi7** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:08 pm

LukePliska wrote:So would the game scheduled later be in Minnesota then?

We would switch dates. Week 4 at Lambeau, week 8 in Minnesota.

Siefer · Post #5 » by **Siefer** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:39 pm

Obviously, this would be a wretched blowout for fans on both sides; especially those who are planning on attending either game. I can't imagine the NFL lets this happen, even if it involves throwing down with MLB.

Post #6 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:13 pm

The NFL has no say, the Twins playoff game has priority. The NFL has known about this possiblity for a long time, that's why they scheduled a division game for that night, so it could be flipped if necessary.

bucks59 · Post #7 » by **bucks59** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:25 pm

I can't imagine the NFL would be too upset over this. Brett Favre returns to Green Bay in a Vikings jersey on Monday Night Football. Maybe its just me, but that has some appeal, maybe more appeal than playing in Min.

I hate baseball but Im personally rooting for the Twins to tie and have to play this game.

BigSmooth_31 · Post #8 » by **BigSmooth_31** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:16 am

bucks59 wrote:I can't imagine the NFL would be too upset over this. Brett Favre returns to Green Bay in a Vikings jersey on Monday Night Football. Maybe its just me, but that has some appeal, maybe more appeal than playing in Min.

I hate baseball but Im personally rooting for the Twins to tie and have to play this game.

It has way more appeal than playing in min. and I am happy this could happen

Flames24Rulz · Post #9 » by **Flames24Rulz** » Sat Oct 3, 2009 1:45 am

Twins are about to move a single game behind the Tigers with two to play. All they need to do is take care of business against KC (easier said than done, see last year) and the Sox need to take one from DET.

Hopefully it's tied at this time tomorrow. Things could get interesting.

Post #10 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sat Oct 3, 2009 2:01 am

If the Twins and Tigers end up tied the one game playoff is in Minnesota on Tuesday, so no conflict.

Flames24Rulz · Post #11 » by **Flames24Rulz** » Sat Oct 3, 2009 2:02 am

MickeyDavis wrote:If the Twins and Tigers end up tied the one game playoff is in Minnesota on Tuesday, so no conflict.

Ah, that takes care of that then.