"Do you think the opposing team has stolen our pitch signals?"
On the pitcher's mound, when Lin Guanglai suggested this possibility to Head Coach Joe Girardi, Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild, and Catcher Gary Sanchez, the expressions on their faces visibly turned serious.
Girardi lowered his head and thought carefully. Although there was no evidence yet to prove that the Astros had cracked their pitch signals, it couldn't be ruled out as a possibility either.
So he raised his head again, exchanged a glance with Rothschild, and asked, "Lin, how confident are you that our signals have been cracked? You should know that in the Major League, signal stealing is a very serious accusation..."
In response to his coach's inquiry, Lin Guanglai shared his most intuitive feelings as the starting pitcher, as well as so odd details he had noticed before:
"Coach, haven't you noticed? Just like when Springer stepped up to bat this inning, what batter enters the pitcher's mound without looking at the pitcher and instead looks out towards the outfield? At first, I thought it was so kind of psychological tactic by the opposition, but the more I thought about it, the more it didn't seem right."
"The Texas fans in the stands are too noisy. If we could block out their noise, I think you might barely make out the 'Duang Duang' sound coming from the Astros players' area. Once the ga resus, you should focus on that.
At first, I also thought the sound ca from the stands, but it happens almost every ti I throw a Breaking ball. That's very unusual.
I don't know how they've managed to steal our pitch signals, but weaving together these clues I've observed, one thing is clear—if we want to win this ga, we must co up with counterasures. Otherwise, we're at a serious disadvantage."
Seeing how convinced Lin Guanglai was, Girardi and Rothschild didn't fully believe it, but at least 70% convinced.
"Lin, you're right. Since the opposing team cracked our pitch signals, we do need to make so changes." As the Pitching Coach, Rothschild looked over to Sanchez and said, "Gary, here's what you'll do for the rest of the ga..."
After instructing Gary Sanchez on the matters concerning the catcher, Larry Rothschild turned around and patted Lin Guanglai on the shoulder:
"Lin, there's nothing much to instruct you on because you've always been the most reliable person for us—what I just discussed with Gary, you heard as well, play to your usual strength, even the Astros lineup is definitely not your match!"
To this, Lin Guanglai responded with a smile, "Don't worry, Larry, I won't disappoint you."
Even with a full base on the field, Lin Guanglai's face showed no signs of panic. He even had the presence of mind to remind Gary Sanchez next to him, "Gary, once the ga resus, make sure your mind is clear, and with the bases loaded, don't drop the ball!"
"Don't worry, Lin, I assure you, I definitely won't let any ball slip through, not even allowing the Astros to get a single point!" Gary Sanchez patted his chest firmly, assuring Lin Guanglai.
To Gary Sanchez's surprise, Lin Guanglai persistently reminded him, "Gary, I'll say it again, don't drop the ball, absolutely don't drop it!"
If it wasn't Lin Guanglai speaking, but soone else, Gary Sanchez might think the other was mocking his catching ability; but understanding Lin Guanglai's character and pitching intelligence, he knew there must be a reason for the reminder, so he repeatedly assured him:
"Rest assured, Lin—absolutely, absolutely, I won't drop a single ball!"
As the crowd on the pitcher's mound gradually dispersed, the Astros players preparing to take the field had already walked to the batter's box.
Whether by coincidence or fate, this at-bat originally belonged to Yuli Gurriel, who was suspended for this series, and replacing him was veteran Carlos Beltran, who orchestrated the Astros' cheating scandal—fate seed to have its own plans this ti.
To counter Right-handed Lin Guanglai, Beltran, who's adept at switch-hitting, chose to bat from the left side for this at-bat, hoping to leverage the natural advantage left-handers have against right-handed pitchers to gain an upper hand in the duel.
Recognized as one of the Major League's top players with five-tool capability, Beltran excelled in running, hitting, and fielding during his peak:
He possessed an exceptional ability to read pitcher moves, had an extrely swift first step; his career stolen base success rate was 86.4%, being the first switch-hitter in history to achieve the "300 stolen bases & 300 ho runs" milestone;
With outstanding speed, he demonstrated wide defensive range in Central Field, also boasting a Major League top-tier strong arm, with extrely accurate throws, having won three Gold Gloves in his career;
As for hitting, it remained Beltran's strong suit. As a switch-hitter, he had lightning-fast bat speed inconsistent with his tall build, coupled with rare skill among similar hitters to adeptly handle pitches low and high—
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