White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech got shelled by the Giants, giving up four home runs in five batters during a brutal stretch. The tipping point came in the fifth inning when Giants hitters seemed to pick up on a subtle sign. Kopech’s glove flared up when he gripped a curveball, creating a visible gap between his thumb and the leather. On fastballs and changeups, the glove stayed flush against his wrist. Once the Giants spotted that, they started sitting on the breaking stuff.
It wasn’t obvious at first. Kopech threw a few curveballs in the fourth, and someone on the Giants likely caught the tell while reviewing footage. By the fifth, hitters like Conforto and Pederson zeroed in on Kopech’s glove. When the thumb flared, they knew a breaking ball was coming. The result was a barrage of hard swings and long balls. Even when Kopech mixed in sliders and changeups, it was too late. He was visibly frustrated. The pitching coach came out, likely telling him to stick with fastballs, but the damage was done. Giants hitters knew what to look for, and they kept punishing him.