• Posted by Admin
• Date : 31 Mar 2023

By Jayson Stark, Patrick Mooney and Nick Groke Only two of the first seven games completed on MLBs Opening Day were longer than the shortest game played on Opening Day last year, indicating a successful regular-season start for the pitch clock introduced to shorten games as part of the leagues new rule changes. Heres what you need to know: Last years Opening Day, with seven games played, averaged 3 hours and 11 minutes. Not one of the first seven games completed Thursday went as long as last years Opening Day average time of games. The shortest of last years Opening Day games was 2 hours and 49 minutes. On Thursday, one of the two games that lasted 2:49 or longer was a 10-9 win by the over the , which lasted 3 hours and 10 minutes. The vs. game went 3 hours and 2 minutes. The matchup had 15 walks and 26 strikeouts and neither starter pitcher lasted more than five innings. pitcher committed the first regular-season pitch-clock violation, while Red Sox third baseman was the first hitter called out for a pitch-clock violation Thursday. Backstory introduced the pitch clock in the spring, with the aim of streamlining the entertainment for fans. Pitchers get 20 seconds to begin their throwing motions with runners on base and 15 seconds to do so with the bases empty. Umpires assess a ball to pitchers who dont start their motions before the clock expires and a strike to batters who arent in the box and alert to the pitcher within eight seconds. Advertisement The commissioners office said in September that the implementation of a pitch clock in the minor leagues last year . What theyre saying Stroman committed the violation in the third inning of Thursdays 4-0 win over the with at-bat and no outs. The violation was called after Stroman turned to look at leading off second base. He worked around an eventual walk to Yelich after the automatic ball made it a 2-2 count. Stroman spent part of spring training pitching in a World Baseball Classic that didnt feature a pitch clock and acknowledged there were times he felt super rushed on the mound. I dont think people really realize that it just adds a whole nother layer of thinking, Stroman said. You got to be conscious of the clock. Youre trying to worry about the pitch. Youre trying to worry about the guys on base. Youre trying to worry about your grip. There are so many things going on now. He gave up three walks and three hits while getting eight strikeouts. Stroman noted hes a pitcher whos able to step off the mound and breathe when I need to. I dont have the opportunity to do that anymore, Stroman said. Breathing is very important to aligning the body and putting yourself in a perfect position to deliver the ball to the plate. Like I said, I think its messing up a lot of guys pre-pitch routines, which can ultimately affect how they pitch. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, speaking on-air during the Rangers TV broadcast, said the league will not have our feet in stone in regard to the pitch clock. Manfred said he hopes umpires will exercise some discretion late in games to allow for slower, tense moments. During spring training, managers and players around the league expressed concern that a game might end on a pitch clock violation or amid a situation where a tight game becomes too rushed for the moment. Advertisement While Manfred spoke, the game in Texas was stopped for several minutes after s PitchCom device malfunctioned. In the Red Sox game against the Orioles, Devers stepped out of the batters box in the eighth inning and wasnt set within eight seconds after stepping back in, resulting in his violation. He struck out after the violation as he already had two strikes. Baltimore went on to win 10-9. Required reading (Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)