Stretch or Wind Up?

quote:

Originally posted by biggerpapi:
Tigers at Red Sox. Verlander pitching. Sox have the bases loaded. Two outs, full count, runners take off with the pitch. Nava hits a bases-clearing double down the left field line.

On the replay, Verlander wound up. The second base runner was almost to third by the time Verlander let go of the pitch. And the runner from first scored on a ball that only went 305'.

I know some pitchers are stronger from the windup but I wonder if it's always better to stretch in this situation???

Always? No.

If a pitcher has the stomach for it, it's a great way to disorient the runner for a pick-off on the next pitch. Gotta be careful, though. If you're known for doing it, they'll be watching. And you can only do it for one pitch, before even the most unaware Dad-coach blurts out the 411 from the stands.

But I wouldn't think you'd EVER do that at the Pro-level. Runners are too fast and too seasoned.

But most of the time, I think it happens because the prior pitch was a wind up situation (no runners or bases loaded), and the pitcher is distracted because he just gave up a double, so he didn't gather himself for the next pitch.

NOT SAYING the great Verlander made a mental error...just sayin'...

Oh yeah, I'm not saying Verlander necessarily did anything wrong. I just wonder if you should take a second and adjust with the full count.

Do you think pitchers, starting pitchers especially, do “better” from the windup or stretch? If you happen to be someone who believes they do as well from either one, then by all means pitching from the stretch makes perfect sense. But if you believe there’s some advantage in pitching from the full windup for those guys, now you have to make some kind of judgment.

Are the odds better for the pitcher if gives himself the best opportunity to get the guy with bat in his hand out, or is it better for him to worry whether or not the runners get a few extra steps? Personally, I’m a guy who believes focusing as much concentration on getting the batter is always best. A good example is the one in the OP. How many times out of 100 is Nave gonna even hit the ball off Verlander in that situation, let alone for a double?

Its all in one’s perspective.