Yanks figure out pitcher is tipping his pitches, a breakdown

Jun 4, 2022 3.1M views 8:25

What Happened

Aaron Judge steps up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, with the New York Yankees trailing by one run. Rookie pitcher Elvin Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers delivers a well-executed 3-2 pitch that nicks the outside corner, but the umpire does not give him the call. Yankees catcher Jose Trevino notices something unusual about Rodriguez's pitching mechanics and begins observing him more closely. Trevino observes that Rodriguez is performing "fake shakes" and focusing intently on the signs from the catcher, Tucker Barnhart, which is out of the ordinary for a pitcher using a pitch-calling system. Barnhart is also making exaggerated movements and "catcher dekes" in an attempt to deceive the batter. The broadcast provides a revealing camera angle that shows Barnhart instructing Rodriguez to "shake your head no" and then press buttons on his knee, indicating the pitch type. The Yankees begin to suspect that Rodriguez is tipping his pitches from the stretch position. In the second inning, after Josh Donaldson draws a walk, the Yankees closely monitor Rodriguez's mechanics. They notice that when he looks straight ahead to third base, a fastball is coming, and when he does not, an off-speed pitch is on the way. This helps the Yankees hitters time the pitches better. In the third inning, Matt Carpenter lays down a perfect bunt single, and Niko Goodrum scores from third base, giving the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Carpenter's bunt indicates to the Tigers that the Yankees have figured out Rodriguez's tells. Outfielder Aaron Hicks then doubles, driving in another run, as the Yankees continue to capitalize on their newfound knowledge of the rookie's pitching patterns. As the game progresses, the Tigers try to mix up their pitch selection and hide their signs, but the Yankees' keen observation and understanding of Rodriguez's tendencies allow them to maintain their offensive advantage. Ultimately, the Yankees' ability to identify and exploit the pitcher's tipping of his pitches proves pivotal, leading to a series of hard-hit balls and runs scored.

Full Transcript

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This 3-2 pitch of Josh Donaldson changed the game

and probably not in the way you would expect.

Hinch shaking his head because that is a really well-executed 3-2 pitch

from his rookie pitcher, Elvin Rodriguez, right on the black.

Dots it.