Pitching Low to High

In a previous post we might have discussed two kinds of defensive strategy: pitching for strikeouts, and pitching for field outs.  This week's comment on pitching technique belongs to neither one of those strategies, or both, depending on how you look at it.

Batters Discard High to Low

Batters will generally discard their highest cards first, since they are the hardest to use.  For example, if a batter is holding a 3, 5 and King, and the first pitch is a 4, that King will be the first to go.  

Building on this example, consider a pitching hand with a 4, 8, and King.  Notwithstanding your outfielders' strength, your first instinct is to lead with the King, because it's the hardest to hit.  Unfortunately you've just set up a possible home run on your first pitch.  

Had you waited until at least the second pitch, that King would most likely have been discarded, and you'd get to see the batter huffing, cussing, and pounding his fist on the table, dangerously close to that saucer full of peanuts.

Taking Away the Home Run

A batter's high cards are only good for one thing, and that's home runs.  When you start pitching low and mean with your Aces, twos and threes, most likely you force them to disarm themselves of their home run swings.  After all, they're playing the numbers just like you.

On the third strike, pitching a high card -- even a Queen -- might draw a hit from the batter's last, lowest card they saved.  But that's a hit you can defend, and even if you don't make the out, you give up only a base hit, and not a home run.