Tigers explain no challenges to pivotal pitches against Mets
The Tigers have success at challenging pitches, but they also have the fourth lowest number of catcher-pitcher challenges.
New York – Three borderline ball-strike calls went against the Tigers and starting pitcher Jack Flaherty Tuesday night. And none were challenged. It became part of the post-game discussion after the 10-2 loss to the Mets.
Two came in the same second inning at-bat with Mets’ MJ Melendez, the last was on a 3-2 pitch. Flaherty threw a pitch that landed in the strike zone box but was called a ball. It was the difference between a strikeout to start the inning or a walk.
A similar thing happened in the third inning. Flaherty threw a strike on a 2-2 pitch to leadoff hitter Bo Bichette that was called a ball. Bichette singled on the next pitch.
“You can say good take,” Flaherty said after the game. “They were called balls and we should’ve taken advantage of the system we have in place. ” So why didn’t Flaherty or catcher Dillon Dingler challenge those calls?