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.
George Kirby’s Knuckle-Curve
In the lone-day game on Wednesday, the Mariners sent George Kirby to the hill as Seattle looked to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Kirby picked up the win, striking out six in as many innings and put away Jason Heyward on a nice slider.
Yusei Kikuchi’s Slider
Yusei Kikuchi opposed Kirby in this one and matched Kirby with six strong innings of his own before the Mariners took advantage of the Houston bullpen. Kikuchi punched out eight and took Randy Arozarena to a knee with a nasty slider below the zone.
Edward Cabrera’s Changeup
After an up-and-down 2024, Edward Cabrera took the mound for the Marlins on Wednesday on what was likely his last start of the year. He struck out Carlos Correa in the 2nd on a 95 MPH changeup!
Davis Martin’s Changeup
Davis Martin took the mound on Wednesday attempting to delay the White Sox’s record-breaking loss one more day. Martin only lasted three and two-thirds and departed with the game tied. He did strikeout four and buckled Gustavo Campero on a nasty change.
Freddy Peralta’s Slider
Freddy Peralta concludes his 2024 campaign with 200 Ks on the dot. He put away Bryan Reynolds for number 200 in the sixth inning on Wednesday and departed thereafter. His next pitch will come in the postseason.
Zack Littell’s Splitter
Zack Littell came an out shy of five full innings on Wednesday but was chased by the red-hot Tigers as they push for a playoff berth. Littell struck out seven and got Colt Keith in the first on a great splitter.
Kevin Gausman’s Splitter
Kevin Gausman tossed six innings of one-run ball as the Red Sox playoff hopes were effectively extinguished on Wednesday. Gausman only struck out three, but his classic splitter was on display here to Connor Wong.
Jack Flaherty’s Knuckle-Curve
Jack Flaherty got the start for the Dodgers in the NL West showdown with the Padres. Flaherty ended the second with a nasty knuckle curve to Elias Díaz.
Nate Pearson’s Four-Seam Fastball
Nate Pearson tossed a scoreless inning of relief for the Cubs on Wednesday striking out two. He began his outing with some high heat to Austin Hays.
Emmanuel Clase’s Slider
Emmanuel Clase worked himself into a jam in the ninth but managed to escape without allowing a run as the Guardians picked up their 92nd win of the season. Clase finished off Ty France with a hard slider perfectly placed on the corner.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire. Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)