The splitter’s having a moment in this World Series, and it’s easy to see why hitters are struggling against it.
Trey Yesavage was dealing nasty ones in Game 1. Game 2 saw both Kevin Gausman and Yoshinobu Yamamoto leaning on the pitch heavily. Players like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki are known for throwing it too.
When executed properly, it’s nearly unhittable.
What Makes the Splitter So Effective
The splitter’s designed to drop straight down as it reaches the plate. It travels most of the way there looking like a fastball before falling off the table – that’s the key to its effectiveness.
Typically, it’s 5-10 mph slower than a pitcher’s fastball. If the timing’s right and it drops sharply, hitters have almost no chance of making solid contact.
The pitch gets its name from how it’s gripped. The baseball sits between the index and middle finger, and if you’ve got big enough hands, those fingers can align on opposite sides of the ball – literally split in half by it.
The arm motion travels almost straight down when throwing it, like snapping down from that split point. That creates minimal spin on the pitch but generates serious downward action.
It’s become the go-to weapon for pitchers who want to keep hitters off balance, and we’re seeing why in this World Series. Every year seems to bring a new trendy pitch, but the splitter’s effectiveness never really goes out of style.
