Stopping the Angels from leaving tire tracks across the Yankees’ backs in the ALCS on the basepaths isn’t as difficult as brokering world peace.
The Angels are going to run because that’s what they do best: Apply pressure on the catcher and outfielders.
Against the Yankees this season, they were 17-for-24 in stolen bases, and whenever given the chance, they took an extra base on the Yankees’ outfielders.
So, how does a team nuke a running game? Score early and keep the legs off bases. Yet, that doesn’t always happen.
Pitchers can slide step, which quickens their delivery to the plate but depending on the pitcher can reduce velocity on the fastball and remove the bite from breaking balls since the front leg slides along the pitcher’s mound instead of being raised up.
They also can mix up how long they hold the ball while in the stretch position so a runner can’t time their delivery to the plate. Or they can put the crowd and teammates to sleep by constantly throwing to first.
According to former-catcher-turned-broadcaster Tim McCarver, what a catcher can’t do is beg to be fed fastballs in order to give him the best chance to throw out potential base stealers.
“They better not,” McCarver said of catcher’s calling nothing but fastballs. “The reason they start calling for more fastballs is that the ball gets there quicker. But if you keep calling for fastballs, you are not going to have a chance to throw out the runners because the hitters are going to figure it out.”
According to former catcher Joe Girardi, the Yankees pitched out somewhere in the 20s this year. That is a lot compared to when Girardi caught and Joe Torre often called five to six a season. The way McCarver sees it, the pitchout doesn’t have to result in a caught stealing.
“The key to the pitch out is to show the opposition you will do it,” McCarver said.
The slide step, holding the ball and pitching out might slow Chone Figgins and company down a step. But that isn’t the only place the Angels excel on the bases. Working with fast legs and an aggressive philosophy, the Angels are dangerous going first to third and second to home.
That is just as important as trying to steal second or third.
george.king@nypost.com