There are pitchers out there that are throwing the best pitch, maybe the only good pitch a hitter will see on the first pitch, because it seems the patience is being preached more than getting hits. At least that is what I see. Sometimes the cubs jump on it and score double digit runs, mainly because that pitcher starts trying to make the cub batter chase that first one out of the zone and guess what, they are ahead in the count. Its a real fine line, but you see when Javy drives the ball down the right field line, that is where his head is going, its not like he is swinging late and hitting one off the end of the bat.
It really starts from the top down, and I dont mean the lineup. When Rizzo and KB go the other way, other players do as well. Our problem is the other guys are the ones definitely going the other way on their own. When the top guys start this team will be impossible. I always say, take two swings to try to knock the ball out or thru people, but you get to two strikes, protecting and spoiling pitches is a true gift.