2017: Guess the date when Mauer surpasses Bumgarner in 2017 HRs

[DrNeau]

Bumgarner hits 2 on Opening Day. Mauer will still be homerless on May 25th - guaranteed.

 

Mauer's 3rd will come in July.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Bumgarner hits 2 on Opening Day. Mauer will still be homerless on May 25th - guaranteed.

Mauer's 3rd will come in July.

 

But MadBum will have 4-5 by then....

 

I think Mauer passes him June 14 (I wonder if they play that day).

 

It is actually possible he never does, but I really think he does in June.

[DrNeau]

True. Have to consider that he won't even pass him. He didn't in 2014!

[Mike Sixel]

I think Joe hits 12-15 this year, erring on the high side, really. 

[DrNeau]

First game of the season and the stubborn Twins continue to insert the 42 HR/ 99 RBI guy in leadoff. Now they have the 11 HR / 49 RBI guy at cleanup. LOL.

[DrNeau]

Love how he came up to bat yesterday with the bases loaded in the 7th inning and didn't even swing once during the entire at bat. What a cleanup hitter!

[Vanimal46]

I actually don't mind Mauer in the 4 spot. Get on base so Sano can drive him in.

[drjim]

 

Love how he came up to bat yesterday with the bases loaded in the 7th inning and didn't even swing once during the entire at bat. What a cleanup hitter!

 

Clearly the Royals were intimidated. Can't blame them.

[big dog]

 

Love how he came up to bat yesterday with the bases loaded in the 7th inning and didn't even swing once during the entire at bat. What a cleanup hitter!

Yeah, that was the point where that whole inning collapsed.  Wait, we scored 6???  What?

[Joe A. Preusser]

Love how he came up to bat yesterday with the bases loaded in the 7th inning and didn't even swing once during the entire at bat. What a cleanup hitter!

So you're advocating our guys to swing at pitches out of the zone based on where they hit in the lineup...got it. Oh, and also pass up the free run they're going to give you. Just put the bat on the ball there Joe, a fly out would at least mean you're TRYING TO bat cleanup.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Love how he came up to bat yesterday with the bases loaded in the 7th inning and didn't even swing once during the entire at bat. What a cleanup hitter!

Yeah, I was really disappointed when Mauer didn't swing at three consecutive pitches so he could sit back down.

 

[Squirrel]

 

Love how he came up to bat yesterday with the bases loaded in the 7th inning and didn't even swing once during the entire at bat. What a cleanup hitter!

Yeah, I love it, too ... given the pitches he got. Seriously? He should go ahead and swing away at bad pitches just to swing?

 

Edit: Ooops, guess Brock beat me to that.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Yeah, I love it, too ... given the pitches he got. Seriously? He should go ahead and swing away at bad pitches just to swing?

 

Edit: Ooops, guess Brock beat me to that.

I just went back and looked at that seventh inning plate appearance.

 

Mauer had one pitch he could make contact with and hit fair. One.

 

And that pitch would have likely turned into a chopper to third base if Mauer could even keep it between the lines at all. It was knee high, outside half of the plate.

 

Mauer would have literally needed to throw his bat to hit two of the pitches.

[LimestoneBaggy]

Let's not hate on a player that is executing his on-base skill (getting on base is what Joe does). If you want to be critical of those situations, then question the batting order and anyone in control of that. Joe did what Joe does best. Square peg; round hole.

 

--> In more fairness, I was highly critical of the decision to hit Joe there yesterday...unless Falvey came up with the next great mathmatical insight that I can't currently see, I'm still scratching my head....but for today, who cares....TWINS WIN!!!!!

[Mike Sixel]

I like it when batters don't swing at balls they can't hit....

 

This complaining sounds a lot like the Joey Votto complaining in Cincy, I'd kill* for Votto on my favorite team.

 

*metaphorically. Not actually.

[drjim]

 

Let's not hate on a player that is executing his on-base skill (getting on base is what Joe does). If you want to be critical of those situations, then question the batting order and anyone in control of that. Joe did what Joe does best. Square peg; round hole.

 

--> In more fairness, I was highly critical of the decision to hit Joe there yesterday...unless Falvey came up with the next great mathmatical insight that I can't currently see, I'm still scratching my head....but for today, who cares....TWINS WIN!!!!!

 

I think the mathematical insight is that the #4 hitter should be a high OBP guy, behind the #2 hitter and perhaps the #1 hitter. He is in a position to be up with guys on base, to keep the inning moving, and to set the table for Sano.

 

It is a little unorthodox but it has grown on me.

[NCtwinsfan]

"Mauer will still be homerless on May 25th - guaranteed."

 

I don't get it, am I missing something? What is the significance of May 25th? The Twins don't have a game scheduled for that day. And what if he does hit one before that - do I get my money back?

[theBOMisthebomb]

Who has more career home runs at Target Field, Joe Mauer or Jose Bautista?

[TheLeviathan]

The sad part is a homerun competition between Mauer and MadBum sounds far too close to call.

[glunn]

Moderator note -- we have had to delete some posts in this thread. Please take it easy with the sarcasm and personal attacks.

[Bill Brown69]

 

Let's not hate on a player that is executing his on-base skill (getting on base is what Joe does). If you want to be critical of those situations, then question the batting order and anyone in control of that. Joe did what Joe does best. Square peg; round hole.

 

--> In more fairness, I was highly critical of the decision to hit Joe there yesterday...unless Falvey came up with the next great mathmatical insight that I can't currently see, I'm still scratching my head....but for today, who cares....TWINS WIN!!!!!

I was not critical of the batting order. Actually it was very close to a different post I made on that subject. One thing Joe is not is a strikeout machine and no matter what WE see every day Joe still has that "thing" with his 3 batting titles. I do think it will change shortly and Joe moves to #5 but he is there to break up some of the strikeout prone hitters. I think Joe will break his career high in walks this year because of being the guy to pitch around and I also predict he will score a ton of runs because the guys behind him will connect some of the time. No, Joe is no longer the guy who slots in the middle, but this is the lineup we have and with this bunch a square peg may have to fit a round hole. The thing about baseball is that sometimes that works just fine.

[bird]

If you want a player who adapts his approach to conform to the situation at hand, you do not want to see Joe Mauer strolling up to the plate.

[akmanak]

He will hit 2 homers by April 15th.

[Linus]

Really? We won the first game can't we just lay off for a little while?

[Joe A. Preusser]

If you want a player who adapts his approach to conform to the situation at hand, you do not want to see Joe Mauer strolling up to the plate.

He walked in a run. I will take that result 100% of the time. That IS one correct approach that conformed to that situation.

[bird]

 

He walked in a run. I will take that result 100% of the time. That IS one correct approach that conformed to that situation.

 

 

I agree, a good result. Taking that walk was probably a good move based on the situation, which was nothing to hit in the strike zone. Right in Joe's comfort zone to do that, mind you. Maybe my perception doesn't match reality, but it feels like I watch him take strike one with runners on base just like he does in bases-empty situations. My perception, as I said, is that Mauer doesn't ever change his approach, regardless of the situation.

 

All I'm saying is that we shouldn't expect Mauer to change his approach, to have a more aggressive mindset and look to drive in two runs. He'll be happy with the walk. It's who he is, and for that reason, he bats at the top or the bottom of my batting order. I believe there are other players who relish being in that situation. Whether they produce significantly better results in those situations or not, I love the energy that type of player give off.

[USAFChief]

He walked in a run. I will take that result 100% of the time. That IS one correct approach that conformed to that situation.

It absolutely was the absolute right thing to do.

 

He can take a bases loaded 5 pitch walk--with only one pitch even close--every time, and you won't hear a peep out of me.

 

But I don't expect that situation to evolve very often, so I reserve the right to question his approach in the future.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I like it when batters don't swing at balls they can't hit....

 

This complaining sounds a lot like the Joey Votto complaining in Cincy, I'd kill* for Votto on my favorite team.

 

*metaphorically. Not actually.

I'd at least think about it. Hard to imagine a scenario like that, but you know how these things go...

[Thrylos]

 

Bumgarner hits 2 on Opening Day. Mauer will still be homerless on May 25th - guaranteed.

 

Would love to hear the terms and conditions of that guarantee.  Thanks.

[KirbyDome89]

 

So we're still mad in 2017 because Mauer won't hit 29 HRs again? Hmmm....