MINNEAPOLIS -- Rick Porcello is 20 years old. Like a lot of 20-year-olds, people often want to ask him for ID. Except in Porcello's case it's because they assume he is older.

When Porcello takes the Metrodome mound in a one-game playoff for the American League Central title today, he will do so with a 20-year-old's dreams and a 40-year-old's disposition. He might be great. He might be lousy. But he will not be nervous.

"To tell you the truth, I don't think 'nervous' is in his vocabulary," Porcello's brother Zach said Monday. "I've seen him jacked up and raring to go, but I don't think I've ever seen him nervous."

OK, sure. That's his brother talking. But Porcello's stats say the same thing. Since Aug. 1, his ERAis 3.19. That is better than Justin Verlander's ERA...