Tyler Glasnow was rocked by the Houston Astros from the start of the deciding Game 5 of the ALDS on Thursday night. The ace allowed four straight hits to start the game and gave up four runs in the first to put his Tampa Bay Rays in a huge hole.
Immediately after the Astros’ offense broke out, speculation began that Houston figured out Glasnow was tipping his pitches. A.J. Pierzynski on the FOX telecast noted the Astros “were talking,” which seemed to be a hint he thought they had figured something out. Numerous other current or former MLB players on social media also stated their belief Glasnow was tipping.
Trevor Plouffe, who spent time with the Phillies in spring training, said Glasnow was easy to decipher in March. Kevin Frandsen added that Glasnow did not make adjustments between ALDS starts.
I had his pitches this Spring Training. Every one of em and it only took an inning. https://t.co/AmZ9cNuuPS
— Trevor Plouffe (@trevorplouffe) October 10, 2019
Well, after his Rays lost 6-1 on Thursday, Glasnow said he looked at video and it was “pretty obvious” he was tipping his fastball.
#Rays Glasnow said after looking at video it was “pretty obvious” he was tipping his fastball but #Astros still deserve credit for hitting it
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 11, 2019
Rays manager Kevin Cash said they knew there was talk about the matter, but he downplayed the issue.
#Rays Cash didn’t dismiss possibility that Glasnow was tipping pitches or that #Astros were stealing signs but said they still have to hit really good pitches.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 11, 2019
Cash on Glasnow: “I’m aware that there was speculation about pitch tipping. It’s something we discussed and tough to make an adjustment during Game 5…give them (the Astros) credit.”
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 11, 2019
A video clip from the first inning showed Alex Bregman talking to Carlos Correa after scoring a run and passing along a message to the shortstop. There was some speculation that Bregman was passing along a note about Glasnow tipping.
Either Glasnow is tipping his pitches or the Astros' first base coach can see the catcher's signs.
"If it's down, it's a curveball. If it's up, it's a fastball." -Alex Bregman#TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/twIcqPKaCt
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) October 10, 2019
Whatever Bregman said didn’t seem to help much as Correa still struck out.
The Astros seem to be experts at picking up tells from opposing pitchers, which also happened in the World Series. They have even faced accusations of improper video sign-stealing. Like Cash said, even if the Astros knew something, they still have to execute, which isn’t easy against a guy like Glasnow, who throws 99 mph and has a great breaking ball.
