Every morning, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games. If you see something you think should be included here be sure to 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.
Paul Skenes‘ Sinker
Paul Skenes left this one with a 10-3 lead but unfortunately did not receive a win as the Pirates’ bullpen imploded. Skenes struck out six before he left and got Isaac Paredes to chase a nasty sinker below the zone.
Spencer Arrighetti’s Sweeper
Spencer Arrighetti carried a no-hitter deep into this one as the Astros cruised to a 10-0 shutout victory. Arrighetti struck out eleven and got Alec Bohm here on what may have been his best sweeper of the day.
Tanner Bibee’s Curveball
Tanner Bibee wasn’t at his sharpest in this one, allowing five runs in five innings, thanks to a trio of home runs. He struck out six, including three in the first, and got MJ Melendez looking on a big curve.
Michael Wacha’s Changeup
Michael Wacha opposed Bibee in this one and matched him with five runs allowed. Wacha punched out seven with five of those on changeups like this one to Will Brennan.
Chris Sale’s Slider
Chris Sale is one of the top choices for NL Cy Young in a resurgent season in Atlanta. He ended the first with a nasty back-foot slider to Jose Miranda.
David Festa’s Changeup
David Festa matched Chris Sale pitch for pitch in this one as the rookie picked up seven strikeouts in six innings of two-run ball. Festa got the chase on a nice running changeup to Michael Harris II.
Brayan Bello’s Slider
Brayan Bello tossed a gem on Wednesday with eight shutout innings while collecting nine Ks. He put away Joey Loperfido on a great back-foot-breaking ball.
MacKenzie Gore’s Curveball
Jazz Chisholm Jr. tagged MacKenzie Gore for a homer in the second, but the lefty bounced back and picked up the strikeout on a filthy breaking ball a few innings later.
Drew Smyly’s Knuckle-Curve
Drew Smyly entered as the third of six pitchers deployed by the Cubs on Wednesday in Chicago’s comeback victory. Smyly recorded five of six outs via the strikeout and got Isiah Kiner-Falefa to chase a breaker that fell off the table.
Andrés Muñoz’s Slider
Andrés Muñoz closed out the Mariners’ victory over the Rays as Seattle tried to keep pace in the AL West. Muñoz struck out a pair and put away Josh Lowe on a nice slider.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire. Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)