Angels pitcher Tyler Anderson got into a heated pregame exchange with the Red Sox first base coach, and it turns out there may have been more to it than just words. The argument reportedly stemmed from Anderson suspecting the coach of tipping pitches during the game. A breakdown of the game footage suggests the Red Sox coach might have been helping hitters identify changeups by moving his feet only during those specific pitches. The catcher’s pre-pitch setup changed depending on pitch type, and the coach appeared to pick up on it, walking subtly during changeups and standing still on fastballs. Right-handed hitters, who naturally face the first base coach, may have used these cues to anticipate pitches.
This all escalated during the fifth inning, when the Red Sox scored four runs off Anderson, who had been dealing through four with just one earned run. The footage highlights one key at-bat where the teacher-student dynamic was clear. The catcher set up early for a changeup, the coach shuffled his feet, and the batter, seemingly noticing, drilled the pitch off the wall for an RBI hit. Later, the catcher adjusted, setting up later in the motion to avoid tipping pitches, and the coach stopped moving—an indirect confirmation the signals were being read live. Anderson was soon pulled from the game, finishing with a frustrating no-decision that may have unraveled because of this mid-game gamesmanship.
This kind of sign awareness and pitch tipping isn’t rare. Former MLB players confirm it happens regularly, though teams keep it under wraps. It’s not illegal, just part of baseball’s constant search for any edge. Anderson spotted something off, but by then, the damage was done. Whether it’s sharp coaching, batter awareness, or pure coincidence, it shows how small tells can flip an entire game.