Bad Thoughts

On a hunch, I tracked the number of pitches Michael Kopech threw in the first two innings of his start against the Guardians yesterday. To get out of the first, Kopech needed nineteen; contrast that to Cleveland starter Aaron Civale, who disposed of White Sox hitters on ten pitchers in what would be a 5-0 Guardians’ win. Alas, there’s more. Kopech walked the first batter in the second, then got two outs, then went completely off the rails, walking the next three Guardians. Kopech ended up throwing thirty-four pitches in the second, which come out to fifty-three to record six outs. Five innings on four hits sounds OK, until you factor in the back-to-back homers in the fifth inning to go with the run on four walks. Five walks vs. two strikeouts. By Kopech’s own admission, his performance qualified as “pretty pathetic.” The thing of it is, he was brutally honest as to what he needs to do to win. So, if he knows what to do, why doesn’t he do it? Because deep down, Michael Kopech doubts not just his stuff, but himself, to the point he doesn’t feel worthy to be a major-league ballplayer. If he’s not careful, the fear will turn into reality.