Playoff Pitch-Tipping Draws Scrutiny

Pitch tipping has become a central concern in the MLB postseason and is legal so long as information isn’t electronically relayed to the batter. Video showed the Yankees signaling on Toronto reliever Seranthony Domínguez’s splitter during ALDS Game 2, prompting the Blue Jays to investigate and promise adjustments, with their manager urging pitchers to be “clean” and consistent. The Dodgers exploited a tell from Phillies reliever Matt Strahm in NLDS Game 1 to stage a comeback, illustrating how small, observable habits can decide playoff at-bats. Pitchers say the scrutiny has produced paranoia and affected performance — Yankees reliever Luke Weaver said he worried he was tipping pitches — while coaches note the pitch clock and PitchCom have shifted attention to pitchers’ body cues. Clubs including Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia are viewed as particularly adept at spotting tells, and teams are investing scouting and video resources to both find and conceal those edges.