Every morning, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious high-definition GIFs. We want to bring you the highest caliber of nastiness possible, so if you see a nasty pitch, please tell us about it. You can tweet @PitcherList to let us know and we’ll give you a shout-out here in the article if your tip makes the cut.
As a bonus for PL+ members, let us know about a pitch on the PL+ Discord in the Nasty Pitches Channel, and if your suggestion is included the next day, you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a free T-shirt!
Adam Plutko’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/querulousnaughtyhorse
Cleveland is sporting a thinner rotation these days with both Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger heading to the restricted list due to violating COVID-19 protocols. Luckily, Cleveland has a plethora of talented pitchers to pick up the slack as evidenced by Adam Plutko’s dazzling curveball to Javier Baez that drops off the table to pick up the whiff.
Max Scherzer’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/compassionatefarflungdungenesscrab
Max Scherzer had an injury scare during his last outing, leaving after only one inning. Tuesday night Scherzer looked like his old self striking out seven over six innings and showcasing his wide array of pitches. Here is a nice backdoor breaking ball to Michael Conforto to get ahead 0-2. Conforto would win the at bat though, singling a few pitches later.
Jared Hughes‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/scarceweechamois
After yesterday’s offensive outburst, Tuesday’s Nationals and Mets game was a much more subdued affair. Max Scherzer did his thing for Washington, while Rick Porcello and a pair of relievers put forward a good performance for the Mets. Here Jared Hughes begins his night with a great curveball to tie up Asdrubal Cabrera and record his first and only strikeout of the night. (h/t to PL+ member shwebsi).
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/physicalscaryargali
When Luis Castillo is on the mound there is always a good chance of witnessing a nasty changeup. Castillo found himself in an early jam against the Kansas City Royals but was able to work out of trouble thanks in part to this nice changeup to put away Adalberto Mondesi. Castillo ended the night with five strikeouts over six innings.
Martin Perez’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/impeccablegleamingbabirusa
After a rough first outing, Martin Perez has had a solid start to his Red Sox tenure and has been one of the lone bright spots on the pitching staff. Perez’s newfound success last year was largely due in part to the addition of his cutter. He shows that off here with a nice back door cutter to Mike Zunino.
Eric Yardley’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/simplehalfarawana
This was a tough at bat for Max Kepler. A 2-1 fastball that was clearly outside was called for strike two, only for Kepler to fall victim to another unfavorable call the very next pitch. Eric Yardley’s big sweeping curveball just catches the bottom of the zone (at least according to home plate umpire Jerry Meals) to ring up Kepler for the first out of the inning.
Alex Cobb’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/villainouscapitalfieldspaniel
It’s good to see Alex Cobb healthy again and throwing nasty splitters. Despite the 10-9 final, both Cobb and fellow starter Zack Wheeler put up respectable lines. Cobb had two strikeouts on the night; both coming on splitters like this one to Didi Gregorius.
Garrett Richards‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/meatyjointfeline
The San Diego Padres won their third game in a row behind a strong outing by Garrett Richards. Richards limited the strong Dodgers lineup to one run over six innings, picking up three strikeouts on the way. Enrique Hernandez fell victim to Richards’ sharp slider here in the 5th inning. (h/t to PL+ member Alex Tran).
Lou Trivino’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/whichcluelessjumpingbean
The Athletics fell victim to yet another strong start by Dylan Bundy getting shut out 6-0. Lou Trivino was called upon to get the final three outs for the A’s and showcased this beautiful changeup to get Shohei Ohtani way off balance. (h/t to PL+ member Chris Nichols).
Dylan Bundy’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/acclaimedanchoredbabirusa
Dylan Bundy continued his blazing hot start to the season Tuesday night, picking up ten strikeouts over seven shutout innings. There were a number of pitches from Bundy that could’ve ended up on this list, but this disappearing slider to Austin Allen was one of his best of the night.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner may be featured in our Nastiest Pitches tournament midway through the season.
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