Good wood: MLB hitters cutting down on strikeouts, even in age of increased velocity
August 27, 2025
Major League Baseball’s hitters are starting to win a few more battles against their hard-throwing pitcher counterparts. Hits could outpace strikeouts in big league games for the first time since 2017. MLB teams are averaging exactly 8.28 hits and strikeouts per game through Aug. 26 and league-wide batting average is up slightly to .246. Managers and players said hitters are starting to adjust in the face of increased velocity, coming to the plate with a better two-strike approach. Technology has also played a factor, with new pitching machines better able to mimic the high-speed, high-spin deliveries.