The first inning is the first inning but later in games if there are men on base and Soto is up with Judge on deck after him, the pitcher is thinking about Judge. If he gets behind 2-0 to Soto, he's going throw him an equivalent pitch as if it were 3-0.
Your suggestion also plays into better at bats. You want to get Soto out so you don't have to pitch to Judge. The best way to get somebody out who is known for being patient and walking a ton, is to throw strikes. Strikes are the better pitches to hit. But you're still thinking about Judge.
Last edited by packs; 05-22-2025 at 03:55 PM.
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