Every morning, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games. If you see something you think should be included here be sure to tweet @PitcherList to let us know. Or, if you’re a PL+ Member and part of our Discord, shout it out in the Nastiest Pitches channel.
Blake Treinen’s Slider
Treinen’s resurgence has been a boon for the Dodgers. He has yet to allow a run through ten appearances and his slider has returned a 50% whiff rate. Yeah, this isn’t going to help the recently re-called Henry Davis.
Clay Holmes‘ Sinker
Sure, Holmes’ sinker doesn’t get many whiffs. Still, I can’t help but wonder how this pitch has allowed a .314 BA. Give Willi Castro credit. He followed this filthy sinker from Clay Holmes with a single to center. Holmes shrugged it off and stranded Castro picking up his 18th save.
Tanner Houck’s Slider
If you’re the hitter, in this case, Zach DeLoach, you almost have to laugh, right? Tanner Houck had a no-hitter going through five but ended up raising his ERA from 1.85 to 1.91 thanks to the White Sox scratching together a couple of runs late. Hey, what are you gonna do? Stuff happens. For more about Houck’s slider, check out this week’s PLV report. Spoiler alert: it’s pretty good.
Jeremiah Estrada’s Fastball
Do you think the Cubs are kicking themselves for letting Jeremiah Estrada go? After being claimed off waivers this past November, Estrada has turned into a relief ace for the Padres, although in fairness, he did allow the winning run last night before retiring Christian Walker with this blazing heater for his lone out of the night.
Yimi García’s Changeup
Speaking of relief aces, Yimi García has been huge for the Jays, especially with their pen being shorthanded following Jordan Romano’s recent injury. García nailed his fourth save with this disappearing changeup to Kyle Stowers. The 33-year-old has a 1.50 ERA and 0.72 WHIP through 24 appearances with a career-best 34.8% K rate.
Yusei Kikuchi’s Curveball
García’s save wouldn’t have been possible without a strong performance from Kikuchi who rebounded after clunkers against the Tigers and Pirates. The lefty stacked up 22 swings and misses including this lovely curveball to Jordan Westburg for his first of six punchouts.
Tanner Houck’s Splitter
Houck’s slider gets most of the attention and rightfully so, but his splitter has also improved this season with its PLV jumping from 5.00 to 5.37. If you don’t believe me just ask Luis Robert Jr. who went down swinging on this nasty splitter for Houck’s second strikeout.
Pablo López’s Curveball
Pablo López had another forgettable outing which included a season-high six walks. He’s had a very strange year but nearly all his underlying numbers, including a 5.34 PLV, suggest better days are ahead. Regardless, he began the night on a promising note with this perfectly placed curve on the outside corner to Anthony Volpe.
Reynaldo López’s Curveball
Reynaldo López continued his career year with Atlanta holding the Nats to two earned runs across six innings. He began the night on a promising note with this beautiful nose to toes hook to strike out CJ Abrams.
Jorge Alcala’s Slider
Anytime a pitcher makes Aaron Judge look mixed up you know they did something really well. That’s what Jorge Alcala did in the sixth with this mind-bending 92 mph slider just off the outer edge.