stringer bell

Good night all. Can’t watch any more.

Good at bat for Vargas.

González hasn’t had a hit in about a week.

If the second baseman is playing way back, why not try to get one by Hader.

Well, do the Twins run for Cruz here? Bunt? I’d so no on both.

Slow guy at second, but I don’t trust Thielbar.

All he is throwing is change ups.

That last run is on Marwin, I think.

Crazy game.

Ugh, ugh, ugh.

Ugh.

While Jorge Polanco and Luis Arraez are not rangy (and probably never will be) and Miguel Sanó is still sometimes finding his way at first, there has been considerable improvement in the infield defense. It is important to make the plays that should be made and the Twins have certainly done that. I think two things were left out of this Blog Post--first what about Marwin Gonzalez? He has played regularly and been a good defender everywhere he has been assigned, including second base. Secondly, catching defense. I think Avila has been fine, but Garver has allowed too many pitches to get by him. Throwing out base stealers is hardly considered these days, but it appears that the Twins need some work on that. Another factor in the Twins'improved defense is improved health. Kepler, Garver, Adrianza, Gonzalez, Polanco and Rosario all played through injuries, particularly at the end of the season and it showed in their ability to make plays. Add in a healthy Buxton and defense should be (and is) improved.

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.

I was at the game when Bruno homered. The atmosphere was terrific. It seemed that everyone thought something special was happening.

Do we have any early metrics for the Twins’ fielders?

I was waiting for this since Robby Canó was activated from the IL, Brian Dozier was DFAed today.

Rosario! Another guy playing much better defense this year.

Not a fan of the pitching change. Dobnak looked he owned Soler. Don't know if Clippard has the pitches to get him out.

Nice to see Twins players making adjustments. On a related note, I have never figured out why batting and pitching coaches get so much blame when players slump. The players have to perform and it is really on them if they don't. I guess I feel a bit different about players not developing.

Avila is currently a superior offensive option to Garver.

The way Dobnak is pitching, he should be able to go 7 or 8 (I probably just jinxed him!). I wonder if Rocco will trust him to go deeper. It is getting to the point where he should.

Two high-tights to Cruz and then Nelson sends one right back at him. I'm sure it is coincidental.

Kepler--when he was promoted, I expected him to develop into a consistent .300 hitter with 15-25 homer power. The BA hasn't developed like that, but he's got more power and he gets his share of walks. It is frustrating to see him go through long stretches where he makes so many outs.

More than most, Dobnak is very tough when he's ahead on the count, but he can't afford to be throwing his stuff when he's behind in the count. The 3-1 pitch to Gordon was a great example.If memory serves, that was the case versus the Yanks in the playoff game.

Polanco has been a much improved defender according to what I am seeing. Bremer just jinxed the defense now.........and Dobnak!!!