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As the excitement builds for the upcoming World Series, legendary Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz is sharing invaluable insights for the starters, Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty. Just hours before Game 1 begins, Smoltz made an appearance at LAX, providing advice that could be crucial for a successful performance under the bright lights of the Fall Classic.
Smoltz, who knows the pressures of a championship series all too well, emphasized the need for intensity throughout the game. “Pitch every inning like it’s the ninth inning,” he insisted, urging the younger pitchers to adopt a more aggressive approach. His philosophy challenges the traditional mindset of pacing oneself; instead, he advocates for going all out, regardless of the pitch count.
Typically, starting pitchers manage their energy, preparing to throw around 100 pitches before they must hand the game over to a reliever. However, Smoltz’s approach counters this conventional strategy. He believes that in a high-stakes environment like the World Series, every pitch can be the difference between victory and defeat. His mantra of “all gas, no brakes” encourages pitchers to unleash their full potential right from the start.
Given the caliber of talent in this year’s lineups, which include power hitters like Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts, maintaining low base runners is critical. Smoltz noted that with such formidable opponents, limiting walks and keeping runners off the bases is key to reducing the risk of giving up home runs. He pointed out that if the score is tight, walking Ohtani could be a viable strategy to avoid giving up a game-changing hit.
With the first pitch fast approaching, Smoltz’s advice serves as a reminder that the stakes are higher than ever. The tension and thrill of the World Series can elevate performances, and the burden of expectation looms large for players like Cole and Flaherty. Drawing from his own World Series experience, Smoltz is passionate about equipping these pitchers with a mindset that maximizes their capabilities.
As baseball fans eagerly await the start of what promises to be an enthralling series, all eyes will be on how the pitchers respond to Smoltz’s words of wisdom. Will Cole and Flaherty heed the advice of the Hall of Famer and pitch with reckless abandon? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the World Series is here, and the pressure is on.
In the exhilarating world of sports, moments like these can define careers, and for Smoltz, sharing his expertise is part of his legacy. As the countdown to the first pitch winds down, the intensity builds, leaving fans and players alike on the edge of their seats. The spotlight is ready to shine, and the stage is set for what could be a mesmerizing showdown.