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I see this more with us than any other team I watch! First pitch strikes go by and 3rd pitch strikes go by…I learned to guard the plate on two strikes in little league baseball….

They guess with 2 strikes and it is condoned by manager and coaching staff

Horrible baseball

hmoss859 wrote: ↑15 Aug 2025 22:24 pm They guess with 2 strikes and it is condoned by manager and coaching staff

Horrible baseball

They have to be guessing. They are totally fooled.

I call it Fire Hydrant, cuz they just stand there like a fire hydrant.
with these Cardinals it is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too frequent.

It feels like Walker takes a lot of fastballs, center cut with 2 strikes

WLTFE wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025 08:35 am It feels like Walker takes a lot of fastballs, center cut with 2 strikes

His big weakness has been swinging at outside curves/sinkers. He is getting better but with 2 strikes he just assumes that’s what’s coming. To me guys that are always guessing just don’t have the instinct to hit what they get thrown. Don’t have the ability to react. That’s a concern with him.

Meatballs down the middle of the plate, best pitch to throw (most) Cardinals hitters.

The problem is that they don't just take a 3rd strike; they aren't even getting a running start at a swing. They are never starting the process of unloading if the pitch were to be a strike. As another mentioned, they are frozen. As I have posted before, a hitter should be thinking, "yes, yes, yes, NO," or "yes, yes, yes, YES" when they hit. That back hip has to start to move, and if they don't like that pitch, a check swing should be the result. Also, dead hands create dead at bats. Great hitters "tip and rip," allowing their hands to get a running start. Cardinal hitters are not doing that. For an example of "tip and rip," take a look at old clips of Pujols.

I and others have posted this ad nauseam. We were all taught in little league... when you have two strikes, shorten up, guard the dish, and don't let the ump call you out on a borderline pitch. If it is close enough to be called a strike, then it is close enough to hit.

bccardsfan wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025 09:33 am I and others have posted this ad nauseam. We were all taught in little league... when you have two strikes, shorten up, guard the dish, and don't let the ump call you out on a borderline pitch. If it is close enough to be called a strike, then it is close enough to hit.

^^THIS^^

Turn2 wrote: ↑15 Aug 2025 22:21 pm I see this more with us than any other team I watch! First pitch strikes go by and 3rd pitch strikes go by…I learned to guard the plate on two strikes in little league baseball….

Possibly true. They are 7th in called strike% (16.9%). Not sure if there is a way to see what team strikes out looking the most. Milwaukee takes the most called strikes fwiw at 17.8%. Interestingly 4 of the top 10 teams in baseball in called strike% are in the NL Central. Milwaukee (1st), Cincinnati (2nd), St. Louis (7th), and Pittsburgh (10th). Cubs are the 5th lowest in baseball.

Wonder how much overall it’s bad luck for the first 4 vs good luck for the Cubs.

The approach to hitting has evolved to what we have to endure in the game today. It's one of the biggest reasons the game is so frustrating/boring now days. Put the ball in play and let's see some action! This standing there looking like a fool, walking back to the bench is getting real old to me. For God's sake choke up an inch and be ready to take a cut at anything close with two strikes.

Dewey Kuey wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025 10:54 am The approach to hitting has evolved to what we have to endure in the game today. It's one of the biggest reasons the game is so frustrating/boring now days. Put the ball in play and let's see some action! This standing there looking like a fool, walking back to the bench is getting real old to me. For God's sake choke up an inch and be ready to take a cut at anything close with two strikes.

AMEN !

82birds wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025 11:05 am

Dewey Kuey wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025 10:54 am The approach to hitting has evolved to what we have to endure in the game today. It's one of the biggest reasons the game is so frustrating/boring now days. Put the ball in play and let's see some action! This standing there looking like a fool, walking back to the bench is getting real old to me. For God's sake choke up an inch and be ready to take a cut at anything close with two strikes.

AMEN !

Amen+ Fundamental baseball sometimes waxes and wanes throughout a long season, but in the playoffs you often see some really good games with tight D, good pitching, tough ABs, moving runners, etc.... Too bad we don't see more of it during the season.

Drives me crazy. If you're going down, go down swinging and take a whack. Called third strikes reflect indecision and lack of confidence.

OregonRedbird wrote: ↑16 Aug 2025 11:46 am Drives me crazy. If you're going down, go down swinging and take a whack. Called third strikes reflect indecision and lack of confidence.

My view was simple. I had two strikes to do it my way. No, looking at strike three, I gotta give myself up. Cannot strike out with runners on base. Many infield hit balls move a runner.