Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is willing to risk some tasty SweeTango apples in a friendly wager with his counterpart in Phoenix over a WNBA playoff series.

Rybak is betting the Minnesota Lynx will defeat the Phoenix Mercury in a series that tips off tonight in Minneapolis. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon is countering with Arizona-made hot sauces and salsas.

If the Lynx win, Rybak will be burning his tongue on some tasty condiments. If the Mercury win, Rybak will part with a batch of SweeTango, which was developed at the University of Minnesota.

We’re biased, but we tend to think the Minneapolis mayor is putting up a lot more than the Phoenix mayor. SweeTangos are the tastiest new apple variety around, after all.

Then again, we’re fairly certain the Lynx will take this series anyway.

So is Rybak. Here’s the mayor taunting his rival in Phoenix, first on Fox9 news (the mayor comes on at the 1:18 mark) and on the Star Tribune.

Here’s the wager announcement from Rybak’s office:

Mayor Rybak, Phoenix Mayor Gordon Place Friendly Wager over Lynx Playoff Series

Minnesota apples vs. Arizona hot sauce at stake as Minnesota Lynx meet Phoenix Mercury in second round of WNBA playoffs

September 22, 2011 (MINNEAPOLIS) — Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon today placed a friendly wager on the outcome of the WNBA Western Conference semi-finals between the Minneapolis-based Minnesota Lynx and the Phoenix Mercury. The series begins tonight at the City of Minneapolis-owned Target Center.

Mayor Rybak is putting up SweeTango apples from Pepin Heights Orchards in Lake City, Minnesota against a basket from Phoenix Mayor Gordon with Arizona-made hot sauces and salsas.

Mayor Rybak said, “We know it’s going to be a good series: these two teams played the highest-scoring game in WNBA history against each other this season, but the Lynx are tough competitors and I’m confident that Minnesota’s women hoopsters will carry the day.

“I look forward to trying Arizona’s best hot sauces and I’m only sorry for Mayor Gordon that he won’t get to taste our delicious Minnesota apples.”

“Minnesota won an impressive number of basketball games this year, but they need two more and won’t get them,” said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. “Phoenix has the edge because Phoenix has the Mercury. I’ll make that bet all day long — while eating their wonderful apples.”