18 thoughts on “Game 96. Twins at Red Sox. 6pm”

    1. He's on pace for under twenty doubles. Even when he's not hitting homers and not batting 300, he's hitting doubles.

    2. He is striking out at a slightly lower rate than last year. In 2014 it was 18.5%, 2015 it was 16.8%, and this year it's at 15.9%. More crucially, his walk rate has ticked up noticeably, even above his 2004-2013 average.

      1. That's encouraging. I knew last year was a lower rate than 2014, but hadn't looked at this year's numbers. Even though I know traumatic brain injuries couldn't not have an effect, part of my brain still thinks of 55 SO, .320/.400/.450-era Joe when I see him; the approach and swing are so consistent.

        Also, dude hit 34 doubles last year! How is that a surprise to me?

        1. He's always right around 30-35 if he gets a full season, which is why I've always chuckled about the idea of him being a "pussy singles hitter". That, way more than the strikeouts, it what worries me about this season.

          He's on pace to get 33 extra base hits this season (in over 150 games). His XBH% (the percentage of plate appearances that end with him getting an extra base hit) is at 4.9%. The worst he's ever been in that stat was 5.4% in 2011. Every other year, he's managed over 6%.

          On the other hand, he's hitting line drives at a higher rate than he ever has in his career, so who knows? It's just that, if he doesn't hit a line drive (where he's batting .654), he's not getting on base (.197 on ground balls, .176 on fly balls)

    1. I wouldn't have challenged it (slide or not) but that it was even close enough to consider is ridiculous!

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