VIDEO: Alex Bregman Seems to Indicate James Paxton Was Tipping His Pitches During ALCS Game 2
By Scott Rogust
The talk surrounding the Houston Astros this postseason is their ability to spot tipped pitches from the opposition. In Game 5 of the ALDS, the Astros took advantage of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow, who confirmed that he was tipping pitches after video review. In case you thought that controversy would've dissipated when the New York Yankees came to town, Alex Bregman made it clear the Astros had something on pitcher James Paxton. After smacking a single off the wall, Bregman looked at Houston' dugout, mouthing the word "glove," and then tapping his helmet as a potential signal.
Looks like Paxton is tipping or they have the signs. Bregman mouths 'glove' then gives a signal touching the helmet pic.twitter.com/NMh9dD2NZt
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) October 14, 2019
Bregman isn't the only one who's spotting this. Many watching the national broadcast can see Paxton's fingers through his glove, which more than likely was spotted by the Astros.
It’s just the camera angle from the wind, but you can see Paxton’s grip through the finger gaps in his glove. I wonder if Astros hitters can see it.
— ChrisShearn (@ChrisShearnYES) October 14, 2019
But how'd they get the camera angle?
Masahiro Tanaka and Gary Sanchez called audibles in Game 1 over potential sign stealing attempts, and it worked, as they won 7-0, keeping the Astros bats at bay.
Not only is this a game of baseball, but a proverbial game of chess between the New York Yankees and Houston Astros appears to have broken out. Paxton surrendered just one run before being pulled in the third.