re: Hess and the 0-2 count...

quote:

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Normally isn't on a 0-2 count a waste pitch

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There should never be “waste pitches”. You never waste a pitch, everyone should have a purpose.

I was listening to the game on the radio so idk for sure but I’d be willing to bet that Garza was either set up inside or set up high because that’s how you use a high velocity fastball in an 0-2 situation.

If it’s high the hitter can’t catch up to it and it sets up the breaking ball down. If it’s inside the hitter still can’t catch up to it and it sets up down and away.

A fastball is generally going to generate a swing on an 0-2 count so you want to place it out of the zone in a place the hitter can’t get to it. Swings set up hitters better than takes do.

I LOVE the 0-2 fastball I think it’s the best pitch in baseball but you have to get it out of the zone. Hess somehow managed to leave it across the plate.

I wish he would’ve gotten a couple more across the plate on the batter before the homerun