Exactly. It was two strikes. He knows he can't hit that. And he knows it is starting inside. If he swings, he misses on what could be an inside pitch (which with his OBP is what most throw him.) If he takes, he has a shot. It was simply a great pitch.
Again, if it had been a ball, that would have just made it a full count so he would have had another pitch anyway.
Yes, it was a great pitch. It was also a close pitch. Too close to be taking with first base open, ie no DP and two strikes.