Article: TEX 4, MIN 1: Twins Muster Just 3 Hits in Loss

[Cory Engelhardt]

Tom, just wanted to say, I LOVE the work you did with this recap and your other game recaps. Keep up the awesome job! The graphs and charts showing lineup construction and bullpen usage is really interesting as well. Thanks!

[Winston Smith]

 

Umm, how is Dozier the veteran clubhouse leader? Pretty sure Mauer has double the MLB experience.

Experience doesn't always make you a leader.

[Taildragger8791]

 

Umm, how is Dozier the veteran clubhouse leader? Pretty sure Mauer has double the MLB experience.

 

Because Mauer has never wanted to be the clubhouse leader. He's not vocal or assertive. It's not just about MLB experience, it's about an attitude and a mindset. He's always deferred that role to other guys on the team and just gone about his business.

Edited August 4, 2017 by Taildragger8791

[drjim]

They did soft buy when they got Garcia, but the team was already starting to slide by then and started sliding even harder after that. It was clear the team was getting outclassed by actual contenders and we were no longer going to hold on to a weak division.

 

I understand players aren't robots but they had a chance to convince ownership to buy and instead they flopped. They're a young and incomplete team, so that's not unexpected. The run differential is what it is for a reason. But they're also professionals and have to learn how to right themselves and continue to perform even when things aren't going their way.

They are professionals and they are talented enough that they'll have moments in the rest of the year, probably when they call up some younger guys.

 

But I would have preferred their professional training the next two months was trying to bounce back and fight for a wildcard over learning once again how to run out the string.

[Taildragger8791]

 

They are professionals and they are talented enough that they'll have moments in the rest of the year, probably when they call up some younger guys.

But I would have preferred their professional training the next two months was trying to bounce back and fight for a wildcard over learning once again how to run out the string.

 

So would I, but they can still refocus and try to make that push for the wildcard if they really want to. It's as much about the mindset of battling for it than the reality of being able to attain it. Realistically, this team wasn't going to battle back for a wildcard with a nearly last place ERA and a mediocre offense so I'm fine with letting the expiring contracts go.

 

To put it in perspective, Garcia and Kintzler are only worth maybe a few WAR over the last 2 months. That's no excuse to go in the tank. If it were then I shudder to think how much worse they'd play if a significant injury occurred. 

[yarnivek1972]

Experience doesn't always make you a leader.

Exactly. So how does that mantle automatically fall to Dozier after the abdication of that role by Mauer?

[Vanimal46]

 

Exactly. So how does that mantle automatically fall to Dozier after the abdication of that role by Mauer?

 

Because he's publicly embraced the role as clubhouse leader.... 

[Willihammer]

You do wonder if Dozier beats out that high throw if the Twins hadn't traded Garcia

http://www.twincities.com/2017/08/03/john-shipley-twins-are-ticked-they-should-be-says-derek-falvey/

 

Although you wonder if he would run that lackadaisically under a different manager too. Gardy in particular would have throw a fit.

[Willihammer]

Although Gardy had some epic 2nd half collapses so who knows.

[laloesch]

 

I agree that Dozier needs to be out of the leadoff spot. Put either Buxton or Granite up there, or both, and put whichever 4th outfielder who is not in the field at DH. Grossman should only play against lefties at this point.

 

Buxton can't hit period.  No way he leads off.

[bluechipper]

 

Buxton can't hit period.  No way he leads off.

I'm not expecting him to keep hitting at his current rate.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Buxton can't hit period.  No way he leads off.

Dozier last 37 PAs: .135/.135/.243

Buxton last 37 PAs: .353/.389/.500

 

I dunno, letting Buxton lead off for a few games may be an interesting way to try and jump start the dragging offense. 

[wsnydes]

 

Dozier last 37 PAs: .135/.135/.243

Buxton last 37 PAs: .353/.389/.500

 

I dunno, letting Buxton lead off for a few games may be an interesting way to try and jump start the dragging offense. 

Interesting.  With some of the weird lineups Molitor has come up with lately, why not give it a try?  What's the worst that can happen?  They get 3 hits a game and shutout?

[Old Twins Cap]

I've been tracking this:  after a long road trip, the first game at home is virtually guaranteed that they come out flat and lose.

 

Happens all the time.

 

That said, they have a thin offense, especially when Sano and Mauer are not producing.  They got lucky early, and now, they don't got enough to pressure the other team.

[USAFChief]

What would be the issue with just admitting Mauer isn't a middle of the order hitter, but letting him lead off would be the best use of what skill(s) he still has?

 

 

[S.]

 

You do wonder if Dozier beats out that high throw if the Twins hadn't traded Garcia

http://www.twincities.com/2017/08/03/john-shipley-twins-are-ticked-they-should-be-says-derek-falvey/

 

Although you wonder if he would run that lackadaisically under a different manager too. Gardy in particular would have throw a fit.

Dozier should be riding the pine today for that base running. He was barely even jogging until he was halfway to first base. 

 

And speaking of throwing a fit, I would've liked to see Paul show a little fire the other day when Sano got ejected after getting rung up on a terrible pitch too. Say what you will about Gardy, but at least the players knew he had their backs and that he was going to fight for them. Maybe it's just because I watch hockey too, where the coaches are much more prone to fits of rage, but I think seeing the manager get fired up can often fire up a team thats beaten down. If the manager seems like he doesn't give a damn, and the "leader" of the team is playing like he doesn't give a damn, why should we be surprised when the younger guys start dialing it in too?

[adorduan]

 

Dozier should be riding the pine today for that base running. He was barely even jogging until he was halfway to first base. 

 

And speaking of throwing a fit, I would've liked to see Paul show a little fire the other day when Sano got ejected after getting rung up on a terrible pitch too. Say what you will about Gardy, but at least the players knew he had their backs and that he was going to fight for them. Maybe it's just because I watch hockey too, where the coaches are much more prone to fits of rage, but I think seeing the manager get fired up can often fire up a team thats beaten down. If the manager seems like he doesn't give a damn, and the "leader" of the team is playing like he doesn't give a damn, why should we be surprised when the younger guys start dialing it in too?

If I was manager I would have yanked him form the game.