Ahead 0–2: chase pitch or challenge the hitter?
For this evergreen MLB discussion, imagine a pitcher ahead 0–2 with two outs and nobody on base. The choice is to try for a chase just outside the zone or challenge the hitter with a well-located strike. No specific game or current player is being assessed.
My starting point would be the pitcher’s command and the swings already seen in the at-bat. I would want a chase pitch to resemble something the hitter has had to respect, rather than simply waste a pitch. If the pitcher is struggling to locate, I would reconsider the plan. That is a tactical preference to debate, not a rule for every pitcher.
With two strikes, what would make you call for a chase pitch instead of challenging the hitter in the strike zone?
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