MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Woodville native Matt Tolbert is experiencing first-hand the pressure of playing in a Major League Baseball pennant race.

Tolbert, a former baseball player at Centerville High School and Ole Miss, is now splitting time at second and third base for the Minnesota Twins.

After MLB’s 162-game regular season, the Twins and Detroit Tigers are currently tied in the American League Central Division with an 86-76 record. At 3:07 this afternoon, both teams will face each other in a tiebreaker to determine which team will face the New York Yankees in the American League Divisional Series.

“There’s probably going to be 55,000 fans in the Metrodome (today),” Tolbert said. “We really need to put some runs on the board, play good defense and just get the momentum on our side.”

This season marks the second one in a row the Twins will be playing in a tiebreaker to determine the AL Central winner. In 2008, they lost a heartbreaker to the Chicago White Sox 1-0.

“This might be the final game for the Metrodome,” Tolbert said. “It’s pretty nerve-wracking, but at least we’re playing and we don’t have to look at the scoreboard and worry about what the other team’s doing. It’s a winner-take-all (situation).”

Should Tolbert get to see playing time today, he will have the tall task of facing the Tigers’ stud rookie pitcher, Rick Porcello.

“He’s a guy that has a lot of movement on his fastball,” Tolbert said. “He throws 88 to 92 (mph), but with movement. As a hitter, movement is one of the most difficult things about hitting. He mostly throws fastballs and changeups, with a slider every now and then.”

For Tolbert, the journey to this one-game playoff has come with a lot of back-and-forth between the Twins and their AAA affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. Tolbert began the season with the Red Wings but was called up May 6 to replace second baseman Alexi Casilla, who was sent down to the minors.

However, Tolbert struggled in his initial outing with the Twins, batting just .178 before being sent down July 14.

“When the opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t get anything going,” Tolbert said. “I was slumping too badly.”

After being sent down, Tolbert played out the rest of the minor league season before being called back up to the Twins Sept. 2 when rosters expanded.

Since his call up, Tolbert has been on a hot streak, batting .328 with 4 doubles, 1 home run and 6 RBIs.

“I haven’t had a good year (overall), but the bottom line is, if we win, that’s all that matters,” Tolbert said.

One thing Tolbert said he enjoys about being with the Twins is being under manager Ron Gardenhire.

“I love playing for Gardy,” Tolbert said. “He’s a really good motivator and is great in the clubhouse. He keeps guys loose, but doesn’t put up with any nonsense.”

In addition, Tolbert said he also likes being teammates with All-Stars Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer.

“It’s unbelievable playing with guys like that,” Tolbert said. “Just watching them play, you don’t really think about it, but when you step back you realize you’re playing with guys that are probably future hall of famers.”

In the offseason, Tolbert said he enjoys returning home to Woodville to visit family and friends.

“I just go visit people and hang out,” Tolbert said. “You give so much of your time during the season, it’s good to just chill, because you kind of leave it all on the field.”