how many pitches can a pitcher throw in mlb

In Major League Baseball (MLB), there is no formal limit imposed by the league on how many pitches a pitcher can throw in a game. However, most managers and coaching staff have informal guidelines that typically suggest around 100 pitches for starting pitchers. Starting pitchers usually average around 95 pitches per game, but this can vary depending on effectiveness, game situation, and managerial decisions. Relief pitchers generally throw between 15 to 30 pitches depending on their role in the game. Pitch counts are mainly managed for pitcher health and effectiveness, and over the years, teams have become more cautious to prevent injuries, especially for younger pitchers. Historically, pitchers sometimes threw over 120 pitches routinely, but current strategies favor pitch counts to extend career longevity and optimize performance. The average total pitches thrown per team in an MLB game is about 146, which includes the contributions of both starters and relief pitchers. While 100 pitches is a common informal maximum for starting pitchers, some have pitched well over 100 in certain games, especially in no-hitters or extra-inning contests. Very high pitch counts (above 125) are increasingly rare but do occur occasionally.