The We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games every morning. If you see something you think should be included here, 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.
Jared Jones‘ Slider
There’s the Jared Jones we all know and missed. The 23-year-old looked more like himself in his second start since returning from the IL. Case and point? This perfectly placed slider to Seiya Suzuki. There’s not much Suzuki can do with a pitch that parks itself with as much accuracy as a PEUGEOT 3008. That’s how you know Jones is back to his old self. He’s hitting spots few pitchers can and cracking the top spot on our list.
Freddy Peralta’s Curveball
Hello, Freddy Peralta. The Brewers ace astounded Jordan Walker with this swooping curveball. Walker wasn’t the first, nor the last Cardinal whose wings Peralta clipped. The Red Birds stat line against the starter boasts of just three runs on six hits and two walks. If you discount a pair of Pedro Pagés homers, Peralta’s only hiccups of the day, his numbers look even better. Regardless, it’s another productive outing for the right-hander, who’s down to a 1.68 ERA over his last three starts.
Logan Gilbert’s Slider
Logan Gilbert went to work on the holiday. The lanky right-hander lavished his Labor Day outing against Zack Gelof with this salacious divebombing slider. Gilbert’s enjoyment was short-lived, however. Oakland rallied in the third frame to score four and take the lead. Seattle’s offense would bring salvation and tie the game later, but the best they could do for their star pitcher was a no-decision.
Justin Verlander’s Slider
Struggling against Cincinnati is something new for Justin Verlander. The 41-year-old entered Monday with a 3.15 ERA against the Red Legs in three career starts but found the shoe on the other foot during his latest start. Verlander allowed four runs on 107 pitches. Moreover, the old dog couldn’t even escape the fourth before departing. That said, he still has tricks aplenty. Exhibit A: This tunneling slider.
Gavin Williams‘ Curveball
Ask, and ye shall receive, Josh Naylor. The catcher wanted this pitch low, and Gavin Williams was happy to oblige with a curve that drops as suddenly as a late summer sunset. In truth, this curve is one of several pitches that could’ve landed Williams on our list. The 25-year-old carried Cleveland over Kansas City, allowing just one hit — a solo shot — while striking out six over seven innings pitched.
Luis Severino’s Sweeper
Luis Severino came up clutch for the Mets on Monday night. The right-hander bested Beantown with a six-inning, five-strikeout performance that saw him surrender one run. While Severino looked more like Bobby Ojeda than Doc Gooden, this sweeper is so filthy it would’ve made the MD proud.
Joe Musgrove’s Changeup
The recently red-hot Detroit Tigers ran into a roadblock on Monday. Joe Musgrove outmatched the Motor City Kitties and, in this at-bat, outclassed Riley Greene. The veteran pitcher opts for a careening changeup to dispatch the outfielder. Detroit did their best to drive through Musgrove, but the starter pitched six scoreless and struck out eight on 94 pitches.
Bryan Hudson’s Sweeper
Oh, look, another fascinating Brewers bullpen arm. Bryan Hudson strutted his stuff against St. Louis in the seventh. The reliever struck out two in his inning and two-thirds of work. Using this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sweeper, Hudson does what Peralta failed to do: Put away Pedro Pagés.
Jack Flaherty’s Fastball
Sometimes, it’s hard to find a nasty fastball. That’s not the case with this Jack Flaherty pitch. What sets this fastball apart from its blisteringly hot brethren isn’t just its rising action. Watch how it carries. Instead of landing just above the middle of the zone, the ball keeps moving toward catcher Will Smith’s front shoulder. Flaherty kept the Diamondbacks flat-footed on the whole and struck out seven.
Phil Maton’s Curveball
With no Edwin Diaz, the Mets turned to Phil Maton for the save. The veteran evoked his teammate and didn’t miss a beat. Mickey Gasper struck out on this rainbow curve to end the game and cue Ace Frehley’s Big Apple-centric anthem.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurtwasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram