Baseball during a pandemic has certainly been different adjusting to a lack of fans and ambient noise. Astros pitcher Zack Greinke filled that awkward silence on Wednesday by telling opposing hitters exactly what pitch was coming – and he got away with it!
With the Giants threatening with two runners on in the 7th inning, television microphones picked up Greinke and catcher Martin Maldonado discussing what pitch to throw next. It worked, as the former Cy Young award winner got Mauricio Dubon to fly out before being pulled.
"I don't like taking a long time with a man on second base especially," Greinke told MLB.com. "I'm trying to find a way to speed that up."
Greinke also gave hand signals to his catcher during 6 shutout innings against the division-leading Athletics last week. Despite the recent unorthodox approach, his manager can only sit back in awe.
"You probably won't see another Greinke in your lifetime or mine, either," Astros manager Dusty Baker said. "This guy sure can pitch."
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Greinke, who started Game 7 of last year's World Series against the Nationals and left that game with a lead, improved to 14-3 with a 2.18 ERA in his career against the Giants. He might not want to get that cute against the Orioles though, seeing how he has a 5.32 ERA in 7 career starts versus Baltimore.
The Astros have remained in the spotlight for much of this shortened season, but this headline seemed to go Houston's way. Greinke is slated to face Rockies and their Major League best .284 team batting average in his next start.
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Zack Greinke calls pitches out loud, still dominates Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
