The second Rays pitcher to debut a new delivery this week, even though Glasnow wasn’t incorporating the Alex-Cobb-style “pause” we saw in Spring Training, his stride was notably quicker thanks to an added swing element to his step.
Glasnow’s new delivery was designed to help limit base runners from stealing, and the quicker stride may have proven effective early, with Michael Perez catching Jose Altuve trying to steal in the first inning. Catching baserunners has been a fun element of this Opening Series; clearly both of the Rays catchers have a cannon.
Feeding 98 mph, Glasnow’s long-armed fastball (which has the closest release point to home plate in the majors) was doing what it needed to tonight, leading him to four strikeouts:
Glasnow’s day would end after five innings, with the Rays following their trend of limiting starting pitcher innings in their first outing of the year.