Good afternoon from Target Field where the tarp is still on the field and it’s raining on and off. I always tend to cover games that have rain delays, just ask Brandon (@Brandon_Warne) about that, but I will keep you updated.
Update (7:15 pm):
Tonight’s game has been postponed due to weather-related issues. The makeup date is set for July 28.
Update (7:55 pm):
It was a relatively quiet clubhouse after the rainout. Molitor made it sound like the guys wanted to play, even with the recent losing streak.
“I like to play when we’re supposed to play — that’s more than losing a home game at this juncture,” he said. “It’s a quick homestand either way, but I’m not really regarding the fact that we’re losing an opportunity at a home game when we’re not really in a position to be talking about losing home games right now.”
There was no talk of a double-header. And while the team seemed ready to go if the weather had cooperated, it does give Plouffe and Dozier some extra time to heal.
“Well, it’s one of the first things we said. At least Dozier gets another day, and Trevor gets to hopefully mend a little bit,” he said. “Maybe he’ll make it to the second at-bat next game. I like to get on him.”
As far as Mauer leading off, we might see more of it in the future.
“I’m pretty open to see how it plays out,” said Molitor, who may change things up depending on if the team is facing a righty or a lefty. “I’m a little bit curious, I think there’s some logic to it given where we are — eight wins here, a month into the season.”
The game is scheduled to be played on July 28.
***
The Minnesota Twins have one win in their last 10 games, and have lost their last five, so manager Paul Molitor is shaking things up. Joe Mauer is leading off, and Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe are returning from injury and hitting in the No. 3 and No. 4 spots.
“It’s not like we haven’t either talked about it or thought about it. I think the fact that we’re having a lot of trouble winning, and I know a lot of people, even in your business, suggested that it might be something worthwhile,” said Molitor in reference to Mauer leading off.
“It’s not like I succumbed to that as much as I looked at options to try to continue to try to find ways to switch it up a little bit. I’m always trying to put people that have a good chance to get on base near the top, it makes the most sense, and we all know that Joe has been doing that extremely well.”
Berrios vs. Wilson
Jose Berrios (1-1, 6.75 ERA) faces off against Tyler Wilson (1-1, 3.04 ERA). Berrios won his last outing against the Houston Astros, and Molitor feels like he is more comfortable with his stuff and may have had trouble getting a feel for the ball in the cold during his first start at Target Field.
“His stuff plays, and I think he learned that little bit more in his second start,” said the manager. “The first one is a little bit difficult to gauge in that it was a cold night, and I think the feel of the pitches was tough. But he faced a good Houston lineup down there, and it looked like to me that he trusted more that he could just do what he does and expect good results, and so we’re hoping for more of the same.”
Dozier, Plouffe return from injury
On Plouffe returning, he says that his third baseman is not at 100 percent, but he’s ready to go.
“He’s in some pain,” said Molitor. “I think that it’s kinda awkward to watch a guy go through the motion of looking like he’s really struggling, and then having tell you if he’s all right. Sometimes you’re wondering if you’re doing the right thing.
“But in talking to medical people, we feel that he’s gonna have some discomfort there.”
Molitor feels that Dozier was playing his best baseball before suffering his hamstring injury, and could get the bat going after a relatively quiet start.
“It was unfortunate that his leg injury occurred after he had a couple of games where he was starting to get some hits. I think he’s got a couple good runs in him,” he said.
“He’s kind of a streaky guy. He starts hitting them over the fence and gets on base and scores runs. So a little chance for him to regroup with the four days off, and a little bit different role for him today too.”
At the same time, Molitor cautions that a hamstring injury can be tough to overcome, especially for someone like Dozier who has to make explosive movements at second base and along the basepaths.
“Those upper hamstrings are a lot about explosive movements, and as a guy who has to do things defensively and potentially on the bases, you’re a little bit more cautious about that,” he said.
“We talked about playing with intelligence and trying to stay under control. The reports on what we did before the game today are encouraging that he’s gonna be fine.”
Also, part of the reason Mauer got moved up in the lineup is because of Dozier’s injury.
“It was part of the mix in that I don’t know if the 3-hole is gonna help him not have to do as much offensively on the bases or not,” said Molitor, “but it certainly didn’t hurt as far as moving him down.”
Be sure to follow Brandon (@Brandon_Warne) and I (@tschreier3) for Twins coverage all season long. Also, follow @ColdOmahaMN for locker room video, quotes and notes.
