BPOD: Best Pitch Of the Day

This important discussion should be had either internally and/or externally before coming into a game.

Once a starting pitcher completes his pregame bullpen, he should have a general idea of what he is feeling best with on that given day. This judgement can be reached through internal reflection based on what is feeling “right” on that day along with conversation with a pitching coach is observed said bullpen.

Same goes for a relief pitcher…

Maybe pitcher feels like they are getting great bite on a slider “today” because of the humidity in the air after a rainy morning…

Maybe pitcher feels like their fastball is feeling extra live…

Maybe the changeup feels more “game ready” after the previous days flat ground work…

Whatever the feel, this should be predetermined prior to entering “live” competition rather than second guessing yourself between pitches with a hitter standing in the box.

As the game of baseball advances and a pitcher better understands their individual strengths, the pitchers “BPOD” should be featured specifically in a 2-2 count. 

Why?

Baseball at its core is still a game…and therefore “game theory” is naturally at play where Opponent A is trying to outthink Opponent B…otherwise known as a basic principle in any organized competition.

Baseball is different…

Specifically, Hitter vs. Pitcher…

An advanced hitter will be able to essentially “remove” a pitch from a pitcher’s arsenal based on what he may have featured in that at-bat or previously in the game.

An advanced hitter, like his competition (pitcher), knows what is working and not working on that given day and therefore can and should react to the “game” being played. Just as a card counter in blackjack has an idea of what cards “won’t” come next…an advanced hitter can do the same.

Back to the 2-2 count…

Pitchers do not want to walk hitters. With this is in mind, the 2-2 count is a valuable one, where the result of the pitch can lead to a full count and therefore extra pressure on the pitcher.

If said pitcher throws a 2-2 Fastball that misses in and the count turns to 3-2, the hitter can often guess right that a 3-2 Fastball is coming…advantage hitter purely based on the timing of what is “probably” coming 3-2. If the Fastball is the “BPOD” for that pitcher, then ok…fire that thing in there 3-2. But, if the pitcher is feeling more alive with a slider that day for example, then the sequence should be:

2-2 Slider

3-2 Slider

Why? Pitcher should utilize their strength and that may be a slider that just feels right on that specific day and therefore if it misses on 2-2, pitcher is still with a major advantage knowing that the hitter is probably not guessing 3-2 slider.

What’s your BPOD?