In the seventh inning of yesterday’s Seattle-Toronto matchup, ESPN commentator Tim Kurkjan, while discussing the state of offense in today’s game, remarked “I watch games every single night and I wonder ‘How does anyone get hit anymore?’”. The game Kurkjian was commentating on featured a starter working on a dazzling shutout outing. The pitcher, Luis Castillo, was one of six on the day to start a game and give up two or fewer runs.
Kurkjian was expressing the right sentiment. As Wild Card weekend kicked off and October began in earnest, it was MLB’s finest hurlers that were in total control, leaving the best lineups in baseball flailing and praying for solid contact.