Rays' Glasnow says it was 'pretty obvious' he tipped pitches
Tyler Glasnow put the Tampa Bay Rays in a 4-0 hole and they never recovered, eventually losing their winner-take-all contest 6-1.
The right-hander allowed four runs on five hits in the first inning of Game 5 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros and was eventually removed following just 2 2/3 innings. After looking at video of the contest, he said postgame it was "pretty obvious" that he was tipping his fastball, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
The Astros opened the game with four straight hits off Glasnow, and it seemed like they knew what was coming, as Houston's hitters communicated their observations while passing the baton.
Either Glasnow is tipping his pitches or the Astros' first base coach can see the catcher's signs.
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) October 10, 2019
"If it's down, it's a curveball. If it's up, it's a fastball." -Alex Bregman#TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/twIcqPKaCt
Astros players weren't the only ones who noticed that Glasnow might've been tipping his pitches. Analysts - and former big-league hitters - Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, and Frank Thomas broke down their thoughts on the 26-year-old giving something away.
"To me, the @astros had something early & that was the difference in this game."@AROD believes Tyler Glasnow was tipping his pitches tonight, and it gave the Astros an advantage. pic.twitter.com/v7cvbtbexy
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 11, 2019
MLB Network's Dan Plesac also analyzed Glasnow's pitch sequencing.
.@Plesac19 spotted something that gave the @astros an early advantage in Game 5... #MLBTonight | #Postseason | #TakeItBack pic.twitter.com/l5Atmvz8jw
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 11, 2019
Additionally, Phillies radio analyst and former infielder Kevin Frandsen and nine-year major-leaguer Trevor Plouffe shared their insights on Twitter about Glasnow potentially tipping pitches.
Glasnow was able to right the ship by retiring the final seven batters he faced. But the damage was done after he allowed four runs in the first inning.