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!
Clayton Kershaw’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/glisteningflashyblackfly
The matchup between Clayton Kershaw and Yu Darvish was the hot ticket on Saturday night and neither pitcher disappointed with their performance on the mound. Kershaw was locked in and gave a vintage performance to notch the win, giving up just two hits and two walks while striking out eight. This trademark 89 mph slider to punch out Fernando Tatís Jr. in the bottom of the first inning set the tone for the night.
Yu Darvish’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/blindyoungbittern
Arguably, Yu Darvish’s performance was every bit as good as Kershaw’s, if not better. Ironically, the only run he conceded was by walking Kershaw with the bases loaded in the top of the 5th to hand his enemy on the mound the advantage. Darvish struck out nine batters in seven fantastic innings – this enticing, helmet-removing 80 mph knuckle curveball to fell Mookie Betts at the start of the game was just wonderful.
Blake Treinen’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/harmoniousappropriatecommongonolek
Blake Treinen’s two-seamer has been on my radar every day he has pitched this season and finally he throws a sinker with such phenomenal movement that is worthy of taking out the nastiest pitch ever. Here is a sinker that is pure filth at 96 mph to carve up Manny Machado.
Zack Greinke’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/DecisiveDesertedHornbill
The master of the off-speed, Astros veteran Zack Greinke, had all his artillery working to produce a virtuoso performance that shut out the Mariners yesterday – his devastatingly slow 67 mph curveball embarrassed Jose Marmelejos in the bottom of the 7th.
Deolis Guerra’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/spectaculardistantgyrfalcon
It seems like every year the Oakland Athletics unearth some diamonds from the rough in the bullpen. This year’s candidate may be 32-year-old Venezuelan Deolis Guerra, who has been around the houses in Major League Baseball but seems to have found a groove with Oakland. This nasty 83 mph changeup to ring up Niko Goodrum is as good as it gets.
Edwin Díaz’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/sharpgleaminggreatargus
When it’s hot, it is smokin’ hot! The old number one from Edwin Díaz, his third straight 99 mph heater to blow away Sam Hilliard. I mean it looks like the ball hits the mitt before Sam even starts the swing! Big thanks to PL+ member Matt Nielsen for this slice of nasty.
Sandy Alcantara’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/cheerfulgaseousfrog
The arm-side run on this 92 mph changeup from Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara is insane. No wonder Steven Duggar looked like a broken man on his way back to the dugout after this K.
Sonny Gray’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/coordinatedresponsibleaztecant
Welcome back Sonny Gray! Curveballs for days…including this delightful 81 mph curve to strike out Josh Naylor.
Tyler Glasnow’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/meanconcretedove
The Rays condemned the Yankees to yet another defeat on Saturday and Tyler Glasnow just keeps improving with every start. This tremendous curveball to fell DJ LeMahieu was mouthwatering.
Jacob deGrom’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/windinggenuinedassie
Ok, ok, I’m sorry…I know I made you wait to see something from Jacob deGrom. Yesterday’s performance from the Mets ace was simply sensational, and there could have been 15-20 nasty pitches from him in this article. I couldn’t choose my favorite so I went with the recommendation from PL+ member nvita. Jacob’s 59th pitch of the night resulted in his 8th consecutive strikeout – it was a vicious 91 mph slider to belittle Charlie Blackmon.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)
Isn’t the darvish pitch a regular curveball?