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!
Scott Effross’ Slider
https://gfycat.com/determinedpepperybass
Who doesn’t love a good frisbee slider? Scott Effross threw back-to-back sliders to AJ Pollock on Saturday for a swinging strikeout, and this was the nastiest of the two. Pollock had no shot.
Matthew Liberatore’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/meanunrealisticapisdorsatalaboriosa
Matthew Liberatore earned his first career win on Saturday, beating the Brew Crew in St. Louis over five solid innings. His curveball had a 37.5% CSW on the day and was making Milwaukee hitters look bad all day long.
Collin McHugh’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/linearthirstyarawana
Collin McHugh’s slider is simply unfair. This one was so filthy that it nearly popped the helmet right off Willians Astudillo’s head.
Shane Bieber’s Knuckle Curve
https://gfycat.com/darlingunfitbobolink
Despite lower velocity this season, Shane Bieber continues to cruise and provide the Guardians with a solid opportunity to win nearly every time he takes the mound. Saturday was no different, as Bieber only allowed one run and eight baserunners over eight innings against Detroit. When you have a pitch in your arsenal that can frustrate a batter as much as this knuckle-curve frustrates Tucker Barnhart, you’re always going to have success.
Gerrit Cole’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/frankfortunatefeline
Would it be Nastiest Pitches without Gerrit Cole? The man is a walking, talking dumpster, and I mean that in the nicest way because everything he throws is filthy.
Trevor Richards’ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/minordearbluebird
Trevor Richards‘ changeup is one of the most underrated pitches in baseball. Did you know it has a 40.2% CSW this year? Did you know it also has a 29.9% swinging-strike rate? It’s easily been his best pitch this season and is a weapon that should make opposing batters shake in their cleats when Richards enters the game.
JT Brubaker’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/heavenlyincredibleamethystsunbird
This is a gorgeous pitch from JT Brubaker. Even Eric Hosmer, who initially disagrees with the call, realizes he got fooled, as this pitch went from nearly hitting him to painting the inside corner.
Joe Musgrove’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/serpentinedisgustinggnu
When I think of pretty curveballs, it’s usually Max Fried and Clayton Kershaw. That list now includes Matthew Liberatore as well, but all three are lefties. There’s just something about a lefty curveball that hits different. Meanwhile, when it comes to righty curveballs, Joe Musgrove is right at the top of the list.
Luis García’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/splendidadmirablehornedtoad
I think Jack Suwinski needs to load up his bat with more pine tar this week after this nasty slider from Luis García caused him to throw his bat in anger. Or maybe it just slipped out of his hands. Either way, slop it up, Jack.
Cole Sulser’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/dimpledcheerfulhousefly
We finish off this edition of Nastiest Pitches with a changeup from Cole Sulser that falls out of the zone at the last minute, causing Ronald Acuña Jr. to swing at ball four late in the game.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)