The boy started school, it's getting a little cooler, the Twins play their last game in Chicago tonight... If I didn't know any better, I'd swear summer was almost over.
22 thoughts on “August 24, 2017: Maybe It Really Is The End”
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I'll get back to you in november about the end of summer.
Two good pieces on the Twins this week by Jeff Sullivan over at Fangraphs: Byron Buxton is Playing Excellent Baseball and Something in Minnesota has Clicked.
Thanks for sharing these. The second article backs up what I have seen this year watching the games. It has seemed that our team as a whole has been much better at NOT swinging at pitches out of the zone. I know it bugs some people (mostly in strib comments), when players take strikes, but that is usually a sign of plate discipline. I have been impressed with the increase in quality at bats. It seems in previous years, our younger players seemed over matched in high Vleverage situations. Love seeing some of the 6+ pitch at bats, in which we are forcing the pitcher to throw it over the plate, instead of chasing out of the zone. It just seems like our hitters have a better plan when they step in the box. Nice to see the data back this up. This leads me to believe that possibly an organizational philosophy is taking hold, which is encouraging.
I like the fact that Molitor seems very open to feedback from the front office, and the increase use of statistical analysis. We see it in defensive positioning, which coupled with putting stronger defenders on the field, has helped us prevent runs. We see it in line up construction, as he puts players in position to succeed. Vast improvement over Gardy's tendencies to go "with his gut" or settle into silly routines of granting days off for regulars based on player preferences, or the calendar, versus statistical match up advantages. To me, Molitor can be a very good modern manager who pairs a deep knowledge of the game and developing fundamentals with an open mind to embrace statistical analysis to gain advantages on the field.
Now if we can find a way to further impact the pitching staff.
Maybe pitching is improving?
Pre All Star Game - Twins 14th in American League in both ERA and opponent OPS
Post All Star Game - Twins 6th in ERA and 7th in opponent OPS
K/BB - Pre All Star - 13th. Post All Star - 6th.
Gimenez appearances: Pre All-Star: 6, Post All-Star 0
Cause or Effect?
I'm seeing less of "dumb at bats" than earlier in the season where batters go up flailing after a pitcher has proved he's been wild to the batters ahead of him. I like how they seem to have a plan, even if they don't always execute it (faking a bunt notwithstanding - wtf??)
Polanco also decided he's Giancarlo Stanton now, which is nice
Polanco could tie the Twins record of 5 straight games with a home run tonight. Killebrew did it three times and Marty Cordova and Brian Dozier did it once each. Dozier did it in September last year and had 7 home runs in 5 games. Killebrew had 2 of his streaks in 1970.
My wife surprised me with an early birthday present last night, a night out at Dakota to see The Jerry Douglas Band.
She had done research and found this concert. She didn't know Jerry Douglas, but after reading about him figured I certainly did. She was excited for the recognition to hit my face when we arrived, but nope.
However.
Douglas is prolific (has been on 1,500 albums) and so obviously I have heard him countless times before. And the band he put together was unbelievable. Douglas was a genius on his instrument. They appeared to be having an absolute blast playing together. It was an awesome show. And I'm suddenly a giant Jerry Douglas fan!
I told her it's not often someone introduces me to a virtuoso musician for the first time. I tend to be the one that does that sort of thing. What an awesome gift!
That is awesome
I needed the "Is it Thursday?" Link something fierce today. I had a long awkward exchange with nibbish because of my assumption it was Wednesday. Well, good news for the work week, I guess.
Is it?
Do I need to provide overlays on the Cup images saying what day it is?
Starting to make our plans for Sweden/London next year, and it looks like Copenhagen is getting some attention, too. My first trip over the pond.
Did you see that WOW Airlines is now flying StL to Iceland starting next May?
yep, noticed that. I think currently our best bet is SWA to/from Newark and SAS to/from Europe
I liked Copenhagen way more than I thought I would.
My cousins in Sweden are only 1 hr from Copenhagen, so it makes more sense to spend some time there than Stockholm, which is 3 hr train away. Looks like we'll have to save Ireland/Trondheim/Munich for the next trip.
The Girl is flying into Copenhagen in a couple weeks. Flying out of Amsterdam. Round trip ticket was cheaper than coming home. Damn kids.