Dodgers pitcher Pedro Baez takes an average of 32.1 seconds after each pitch to deliver the baseball. (John McCoy/Staff photographer)

While the pace of major league games has picked up on the whole this season, Dodgers pitcher Pedro Baez isn’t helping.

The right-hander is taking an average of 32.1 seconds between pitches to deliver the ball — the slowest rate among pitchers who have thrown at least 20 innings this season — which prompted Dodgers manager Don Mattingly to meet with Baez after Monday’s win over the Phillies.

“It seemed like 30 seconds between every pitch. That’s rough,” Mattingly said. “I said, ‘if you were playing third base, you’d be going crazy.’ It’s just tough on guys.

“To me it shows a lack of confidence in what you want to do. I’ve played behind guys like that. They walk around … you give the hitter a chance to think, let him settle down. Whatever count he’s in, everything kind of slows down.”
Baez walked two batters and allowed a hit in two-thirds of an inning Monday, which might help drive home Mattingly’s point.

“His tempo’s always been a little slower so you don’t try to force that,” the manager said, “but 30 seconds is a little over the top.”