stringer bell

Brian Dozier has easily been the Twins best player since he moved to second base. He's been a good player for most of the four years, with a few dreadful months mixed in and a superstar summer last year from June to mid-September. I'll also say that Dozier is playing at a position that is packed in MLB. 10-15 years ago, a second baseman with Dozier's power performance would be elite at his position. Not now. I like Dozier as a person, a bit of an aw-shucks southern gentleman with no skeletons in his closet. I like him as a player because he's durable and has far exceeded projections for himself since being a mid-round no power draft choice. That said, some of Dozier's act is wearing on me a bit. He acts like a superstar without portfolio to me, doesn't bust it down the line when he hits a popup or routine grounder, he makes many lollipop throws, although he cuts loose when he has to, and his demeanor at the plate seems to be I'm a great player, why don't I get the borderline pitches? I do wonder if he is playing 100% healthy, which would explain the apparent lack of hustle. In addition, he's stopped stealing bases and seems a step slower on the pads. Or maybe it is just turning 30. Dozier has made improvements in going the other way and he's capable of drawing a walk. However, now that the team seems out of it for the season, BD seems more intent on hitting bombs than having good at-bats. I think there's a chance that Dozier could have another superstar season, maybe even better than 2016 turned out in it's entirety, but father time makes that unlikely. I also think that the Twins can be winners with Dozier manning second base, but there is a lot of things that have to improve.

I was going to start a thread saying that Rogers is the most underappreciated Twin. He has been very good, but under the radar.

Thanks for the summary. IMHO earned/unearned isn't the best way to judge defense, but it is wise to reveal and review a defensive misplay as a key play in a game.

I'd love to see Slegers get a chance with the Twins.

4:03, I'm out. Hope it doesn't rain too long.

I doubt they hit for Buxton unless he's injured somehow.

Alright, what happened to Buck?

'Stros don't shift for Mauer, but they do for Polanco.

I'm sheltered. Gotta keep the iPad dry!

Routine scoreless inning for Santana.

I think this is Erv's last batter.

And it starts to rain.

Gotta get this guy!

X 2.

Nothin' but rain!

Cycle + a single and double. BTW, this is what can happen when facing a guy recalled from the minors yesterday.

Good AB Robbie!

Need a long ball for the cycle this inning.

Serious question....who is the closer today?

Anybody notice that Dozier's been better lately in RISP situations?

Or the Astros do!

I was going to write that they needed to get Kepler in. Now they need to plate Polanco.

Correa "barreled it up". Eddie?????

Erv is sharp again.

I think a message was given to the umps and if they must be more tolerant of questioning players, then the players will squawk more.