MIN 4, KCR 2: Pitching, Defense and Overall Execution Shine in Twins Victory

stringer bell · August 17, 2020

It's not like either of those homers was a blast--particularly Dozier's. Dobnak seems to have enough late movement on almost every pitch that he induces weak contact. Eventually, I suppose, he will have days where some less than well-hit balls find grass and he leaves a few too many in hittable areas. It looks like Wes Johnson and Rocco aren't quite sold on him to work through trouble after two trips through the order, but he has earned a place in the rotation and is deserving of the praise he has gotten so far.

jmlease1 · August 17, 2020

Dobnak has been great so far, but the 2 hrs make me a little nervous; he absolutely has to avoid those mistakes because elevating that sinker is going to get crushed much more often than not. This was the sort of regression I think was always a little likely. The trick will be keeping it from being too commonplace. I think he can do it, though.

I don't favor additional playing time for Avila: you don't want to expose him and turn a strength (excellent production from your backup catcher) into a weakness. Let Avila do his thing, keep both catchers rested and healthy, and have patience that Garver will work himself out of his early slump.

I hope the defensive improvement is real and consistent throughout the season. Marwin's always been a fine defensive player, so plugging him at 3B often isn't going to hurt, but it's Arraez that really seems to have shown serious improvement which is a real plus since he's going to be the guy at 2B for a while.

mikelink45 · August 17, 2020

Probably once his ERA is in the 3.00s.

I hope it does not happen. He is bringing joy to this season, plus stopping losing streaks.

mikelink45 · August 17, 2020

Dobnak has been great so far, but the 2 hrs make me a little nervous; he absolutely has to avoid those mistakes because elevating that sinker is going to get crushed much more often than not. This was the sort of regression I think was always a little likely. The trick will be keeping it from being too commonplace. I think he can do it, though.

I don't favor additional playing time for Avila: you don't want to expose him and turn a strength (excellent production from your backup catcher) into a weakness. Let Avila do his thing, keep both catchers rested and healthy, and have patience that Garver will work himself out of his early slump.

I hope the defensive improvement is real and consistent throughout the season. Marwin's always been a fine defensive player, so plugging him at 3B often isn't going to hurt, but it's Arraez that really seems to have shown serious improvement which is a real plus since he's going to be the guy at 2B for a while.

let's bring up Astudillo so we have three catchers. I am not nervous about the HRs because almost all our pitchers have had a few leave the yard - I think Dobnak learns from it and becomes better.

etwink · August 18, 2020

I had to pause a minute - it sounded like you were describing Odorizzi. Our staff of starters is a five inning staff. If Berrios got his act together he and Maeda can go a little longer, but long starts seems like a part of history - like complete games.

Fair enough. Probably unfair to get on Dobnak about something that is now endemic to modern baseball!

i will say that the Cy Young will likely go to the guys who buck that trend - those guys are the real Aces....Scherzer, Cole, etc.

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