stringer bell

Most of the roster has done pretty well. Some have floundered greatly. On May 1, here is the dump list for the Twins: 1) Mike Pelfrey--The numbers are terrible. His confidence is at an all-time low and he doesn't have great stuff. Both Pelfrey's velocity and location have been miserable. Perhaps he is injured? 2) Pedro Florimon--Good (maybe better than that) defense can't make up for a sub-.400 OPS. He didn't hit well last year and this year has so far been an abomination. 3) Aaron Hicks--For the second straight spring, Hicks has teased us with showing tools and developing skills in Spring Training, followed by poor hitting when the games are for real. 4) Jared Burton--He's older, probably not needed with the Twins deep bullpen, and has slipped markedly since his outstanding 2011. 5) Kevin Correia--Very low upside and on the last year of his contract. Correia may or may not be blocking a better pitcher. He certainly is in front of pitchers with much more upside.

Yes, the lower velocity and lack of command are a concern. However, numbers are skewed this early in the season. If relievers can get an out that when the starters leave with a couple runners on base, the ERA looks much better. Gibson yesterday being a very good example. I won't say the Pelfrey has been luckless--he's allowed far too many baserunners and hard hit balls--but things usually even out.

Plouffe has been a consistently good hitter this year. He had the count advantage and went for it. He failed. It happens. I thought it was the right move, but Plouffe needed to be relatively sure he could get good wood on the ball and he didn't.

That's it, I'm headed for the gym.

Pretty good outing for Gibson. If the pen holds it at 3-1, I'll be satisfied. Of course, another blooper and it's 5-1.

Time to get the BP ready. Gibson with 6+ and the meat of the order coming up.

The next one left no doubt.

I thought that was strike three to Pinto.

How long do the Dodgers go with Grienke? He's probably going to go over 100 pitches this inning. Looks like he didn't have much trouble with Colabello.

It is an official game. The Twins get to get all three games in vs. the Dodgers. Nice weather might have netted more dollars.

Much better AB for Plouffe, couldn't find a gap.

Well, that's a week's worth of production from the shortstop position.

Gibson made a nice play, too. Glad he didn't hurt something.

Web gem!

Joe doesn't look too confident going back on pop flies.

That many errors is a red flag. More troublesome to me is Polanco's arm. I don't know if he has enough arm to be an everyday shortstop. Polanco looks like he could be a plus offensive player, but I really think his position will be second base.

Dozier showing up Puig for not running hard to first?

Now I can complain about official scoring. It hurts no one that the run is ruled unearned, but it isn't right. Even a slow guy like Pinto scores on that double (near triple), with two outs. That run should be earned.

Mattlingly is doing the stall. The right thing to do.

Why didn't Gardy stall until the Twins' staff saw the replay. Pretty conclusive that Zuke didn't tag him 'til he touched the plate.

I don't think he speaks Venezuelan either.

Gibson, for a first year guy, sure shakes off the catcher a lot.

His defense might not be much, he's in the game for his bat--Drew Butera that is.

Maybe not.

Gotta comment on Bert praising Kemp for getting sawed off. Also, Miggy in the Tiger series. Those guys are paid to hit. Sure, it is better to advance the runner than not, but it is far better to get a hit. The right thing to do in the early innings is for three guys to try to get a knock with a runner on second and none out. Gibson showed that advancing the runner to third doesn't necessarily make the inning a success. It looks like the Twins are going to show that their bottom of the order couldn't score a run no matter where the leadoff guy reaches.