Why are the SOX afraid to swing at first pitch

[Sox 42]

I have not got an accurate count but noticed a lack of swinging at the first pitch which usually leaves us behind in the count,  I hear about "making the guy work" but I often found that the first pitch was the best one I was going to see.  Why not make their pitcher work while their fielders chase one in the gap for extra bases or better yet getting a new ball from the ump.  Anyone else notice this or is the club policy to "work the count?"

[mvp 78]

Hard to say this on a night Anthony gets 4 walks. 

[moonslav59]

In 2024:

.728 when swung at 1st pitch (1895 PAs) 31%

.746 took 1st pitch (4297 PAs) 69%

2025:

.747 when swung (1453) 31%

.759 when took (3197) 69%

[Kimmi]

On 8/12/2025 at 8:51 PM, Sox 42 said:

I have not got an accurate count but noticed a lack of swinging at the first pitch which usually leaves us behind in the count,  I hear about "making the guy work" but I often found that the first pitch was the best one I was going to see.  Why not make their pitcher work while their fielders chase one in the gap for extra bases or better yet getting a new ball from the ump.  Anyone else notice this or is the club policy to "work the count?"

It's frustrating to watch the batter take a fastball right down the middle for strike one.  But it's also frustrating to have a batter make an out on one pitch, and to see the opposing pitcher get out of an inning with less than 10 pitches.  For me, it's not so much about swinging at the first pitch or not, but rather being able to make the opposing pitcher work within an at bat and within any inning.  

[Kimmi]

Apropos of nothing, Youkilis never once swung with a 3 - 0 count during his career.  He had 292 3-0 counts over his career.  He swung 0 times.  

[moonslav59]

11 minutes ago, Kimmi said:

Apropos of nothing, Youkilis never once swung with a 3 - 0 count during his career.  He had 292 3-0 counts over his career.  He swing 0 times.  

They should have named him the Greek God of Walks.

[Kimmi]

8 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

They should have named him the Greek God of Walks.

Imagine my surprise when I found out he wasn't Greek.

[moonslav59]

57 minutes ago, Kimmi said:

Imagine my surprise when I found out he wasn't Greek.

That's Greek, to me!

[mvp 78]

14 hours ago, Kimmi said:

It's frustrating to watch the batter take a fastball right down the middle for strike one.  But it's also frustrating to have a batter make an out on one pitch, and to see the opposing pitcher get out of an inning with less than 10 pitches.  For me, it's not so much about swinging at the first pitch or not, but rather being able to make the opposing pitcher work within an at bat and within any inning.  

If it's an out on a pitch down the middle, who cares? If it's an out on a pitch the batter should be laying off, that's a different story IMO.