“Really, the power the pitcher has now — I can totally dictate pace,” the three-time Cy Young Award winner said. “The rule change of the hitter having only one timeout changes the complete dynamic of the hitter-and-pitcher dynamic. Yeah, I love it.”
Washington’s Michael Chavis, the 2nd player in the 2nd inning, got out of package when he felt Scherzer was taking too long. That was great with Scherzer.
The right-hander held the ball for more than 10 seconds prior to providing the next pitch as Chavis needed to stay in the batter’s box, locked eyes with Scherzer. The veteran pitcher felt he had actually enforced his will, although Chavis eventually singled to right.
“I can work extremely quick. And I can work extremely slow,” Scherzer said. “There’s another layer here to be able to mess with the hitter’s timing.
“I can come set even before the hitter’s in the box. I can’t pitch until eight (seconds left on the clock). But as soon as his eyes are up, I can go. If his eyes are up with 12 seconds to go, I can fire.
“I had the conversation with the umpire (David Rackley) to make sure that’s legal. And that is (legal). I’m just getting used to how this is going to be in 2023.”
According to MLB, there were 69 pitch-timer infractions through the very first 35 spring training video games over the weekend — consisting of 35 infractions in 16 video games Sunday.
While Scherzer believes the timer is operating in pitchers’ favor, players aren’t grumbling, either.
“I like it,” Yankees star Aaron Judge said. “I think you can kind of play around with it a little bit. I think it definitely speeds up the game. Anything that kind of keeps the pitcher moving and on the go, and hopefully keep him out of breath, I’m looking forward to it.”
Cardinals supervisor Oliver Marmol said MLB is offering updates — almost in genuine time — on the guidelines modifications package that is making this spring training distinct.
The 2 significant modifications are a pitch clock and a limitation on severe infield shifts.
“They did a really nice job of sending out a memo this morning with all the things that took place yesterday and questions that players and managers that just had to be addressed in order that you can cover it with your staff and club as you feel appropriate,” Marmol said. “So we did that with our staff and brought two different points with our players because they’ve done a really good job of communication.”
There were more missteps on Sunday throughout the Cactus and Grapefruit League video games, however the majority of took the modifications in stride.
Rockies reducer Daniel Bard was required a ball after tossing a warmup pitch after the 30-second due date heading into an inning. The 30-second mark prior to innings was likewise a source of confusion throughout the Cardinals-Marlins video game. Two Cardinals pitchers were required balls prior to the start of innings in the past, according to Marmol, the umpires collected and recognized they were translating the guideline improperly.
“It’s spring training for everybody,” Marmol said. “Those things will get ironed out before we get out of here.”
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