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!
Lucas Giolito’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/minorblaringindianhare
After the night Lucas Giolito just had, he had to lead off nastiest pitches. Giolito completed his no-hitter in just 101 pitches and struck out thirteen along the way. Bryan Reynolds became one of those thirteen here as he flailed at Giolito’s dominant changeup.
Tyler Glasnow’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/slimyimmaculatehaddock
Tyler Glasnow had arguably his best start of the season on Tuesday night, sitting down thirteen Orioles over seven innings as the Rays cruised to a 4-2 victory. Glasnow’s fantastic curveball was on display all night including this one to strikeout Renato Nuñez in the third inning.
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/dopeyjubilantfly
Luis Castillo already has a great changeup, but the way he set this pitch up was just unfair. The previous pitch was a 98-mph fastball on the outside corner, and then Castillo comes back with his fantastic changeup in almost the same spot with some great arm side movement to get the whiff from Christian Yelich. (h/t to PL+ member KingHippo)
Rich Hill’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/goodunsungabyssiniancat
Rich Hill’s has had a myriad of injuries in recent years, which is unfortunate because when he’s healthy he can still be a very effective pitcher. His signature pitch remains his big curveball, which was on full display here as he draws the swing-and-miss from Cesar Hernandez. (h/t to PL+ member tristall)
Shane Bieber’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/devotedimpossiblegraysquirrel
Opposing Rich Hill on the mound was Shane Bieber who continued his dominance; striking out ten over six innings. Bieber finished his night by striking out the side in the sixth, capped off by this knuckle-curve to put away Marwin Gonzalez. (h/t to PL+ member Chris Nichols)
Brandon Woodruff’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/sparseshrillalligatorgar
There may not have been a hotter hitter to begin the season than Nick Castellanos, and though he may have cooled since then he has continued to put up solid numbers. Brandon Woodruff got the better of him in the first inning of Tuesday night’s game, with this great curveball to get Castellanos to chase out of the zone. (Another h/t to PL+ member KingHippo)
Cristian Javier’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/totalgargantuancat
Cristian Javier continued his strong start to the season Tuesday with 5.2 innings in the abbreviated game one of the doubleheader between the Angels and Astros. Javier began his night with this strikeout of David Fletcher on a nice curveball out of the zone. Javier would strikeout five on the night on his way to a victory.
Seth Lugo’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/jealousmistybadger
The Mets were shut out on both ends of the doubleheader on Tuesday, but Seth Lugo did his part on the mound striking out five over three perfect innings. He began his night with a strikeout of Jon Berti as his sinker runs back just enough to catch the outside corner of the plate and get the call.
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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