Joe Mauer went 2-for-4 in Sunday's loss to Detroit to raise his batting average to .321.

Mauer went 2-for-4 in Sunday's loss to Detroit to raise his batting average to .321.

Analysis:

Mauer is hitting .321/.453/.440 through 24 games, and there are plenty of reasons to believe his strong start to the season is sustainable. His walk rate fell to a career low for a full season last year (10.1 percent) and his contact rate was near a career low (81 percent). He's improved in both areas this season with a 18.9 percent walk rate and 89 percent contact rate. His 9:20 K:BB indicates he may be back to the player he was before a 2013 concussion.