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The Importance of Pitch Count in MLB Pitching Strategies
Welcome to the era of the pitch count in Major League Baseball. It has become the exception, not the rule when a pitcher starts and finishes the same game.
For decades, professional baseball did not operate this way. In the early days of MLB, a closer was a foreign concept. As recently as 1961, the MLB leader had fewer than 20 saves.
The top pitchers used to average seven or eight innings per start. Now, that number has dropped from five to six innings, significantly impacting the numbers put up by the MLB pitching leaders.
Let’s look at how the increased impact of the pitch count has impacted the world of professional baseball and how the sportsbook takes into consideration shorter stints for tarting pitchers.
Understanding Pitch Count Rules
How Pitch Count Rules Impact Game Strategy
There was a time when a pitcher would throw 150 pitches and be back out there to go nine innings for his next scheduled start.
That is no longer the case and that has impacted the MLB odds. The last time a pitcher had at least 10 complete games was in 1999. Randy Johnson, then with the Arizona Diamondbacks, led the National League with 12 complete games. The previous season, Curt Schilling of the Philadelphia Phillies had 15 complete games to lead all National League pitchers, while Baltimore’s Scott Erickson’s 11 complete games were the most in the American League. The impact of the pitch counter was in full force.
Since 2017, the National League leader in complete games has had three complete games or less in every season except 2022. From 2018 to 2024, the American League leader in that category finished with either two or three complete games.
Pitch Count Rules for Youth Baseball vs. MLB
Pitchers in Little League and other youth baseball leagues have strict pitch count limits, with pitch count by age limits enforced.
Pitchers aged eight or younger are limited to 50 pitches per day. For ages 9-10, the limit is 75 pitches. For senior Little League (ages 11 and 12), the pitch count limit is 85, with a 95-pitch limit for ages 13 to 16.
Pitch count rules also determine the number of rest days needed based on the number of pitches thrown.
Why a Pitch Counter Is Essential for Coaches
Overusing young pitchers can be detrimental to their development, and pitch count rules are sometimes used to protect young players from coaches who might not otherwise limit the number of pitches thrown by their players.
It is possible to pitch nearly year-round in areas without frigid temperatures or snow storms. Years later, those pitchers can become favorites for those betting online.
Using a Pitch Counter for Accurate Tracking
Teams track more than just the number of pitches at the Major League level. They also check the velocity, movement, spin rate, and percentage of hard-hit balls. When putting down a sports bet, there is plenty of information available.
If there is a jump or a drop in any of those categories, that could end the stint for the starting pitcher. Pitchers who struggle to make it through five innings can impact the MLB spread.
Tips for Effectively Using a Pitch Counter
Not every pitcher is the same, and this needs to be considered in the decision-making process rather than blindly relying on the number of pitches thrown. Keep that in mind when partaking in sports betting.
The managers and coaches need to use more than pitch counts when managing a pitching staff by monitoring baseball pitch counts.
MLB Pitch Count Limit and Its Implications
Major League Baseball sets no pitch count limit. However, teams will rarely allow a pitcher to exceed 100 pitches. That has forced those who bet online to adapt to changing times.
No situation is the same as a pitcher coming off a severe arm or elbow injury will have smaller pitch counts to work with.
It is not uncommon that a college pitcher with plenty of innings pitched won’t pitch at all in their first minor league season.
Historical Changes in MLB Pitch Count Limit
The era when pitchers could finish with at least 40 complete games ended in the early 1900s. From 1906 to 1953, the league leaders often topped 30 complete games.
The last MLB pitcher with at least 30 complete games was Catfish Hunter of the New York Yankees in 1975. A player making it through seven innings can be popular among the sports betting crowd.
Managing Baseball Pitch Count for Longevity
The move away from the nine-inning pitcher began in the 1970s. During the 1970 season, Ron Perranoski of the Minnesota Twins became the first MLB player with a 30-save season.
Rollie Fingers, Sparky Lyle, Rich “Goose” Gossage, and Mike Marshall were among the early trailblazers before Dan Quisenberry led the American League in saves for four seasons in a row. At the same time, Bruce Sutter was doing the same thing in the National League.
The popularity of the late-inning closer led to shorter outings for starting pitchers as limiting pitch counts became the latest fad. The MLB lines tend to be impacted by the quality of the bullpen.
Ideal Baseball Pitch Count for Different Pitching Styles
A knuckleball pitcher could be used more frequently than somebody who consistently throws in the 90s or relies on a slider that can place some extra strain on the arms and elbows of MLB pitchers. Keep that in mind when making MLB bets.
How to Avoid Overuse Injuries with Proper Pitch Count Management
The Oakland A’s had no manager with a winning record since Chuck Tanner had a record of 87-74 in his lone season in Oakland in 1976. That all changed when Tony LaRussa was hired by Oakland in 1986.
LaRussa changed many things during his 10 seasons with the A’s. One of his most significant moves was turning former 20-game winner Dennis Eckersley into a dominant closer. Eckersley had 220 saves in five years.
It was a little different for Eckersley, who was asked to pitch multiple innings in many of his saves.
LaRussa and Eckersley’s partnership changed the sport forever.
Teams rely on five-man starting rotations, and some MLB teams are eyeing potential six-man rotations.
Pitch Count FAQ
How Many Days Rest Do MLB Pitchers Get After a 100-Pitch Outing?
There is no set number for how many days rest a pitcher gets after throwing at least 100 pitches in a Major League Baseball game. It is not unusual for pitching coaches to get that pitcher an extra day of rest.
