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.
Tylor Megill’s Curveball
When you look at Tylor Megill‘s statline — four earned runs, seven hits, three walks, and four strikeouts over five innings pitched — it’s hard to find anything nasty. At least not in the context we’re using. Discounting Megill, however, would’ve left Monday’s list bereft of this beautiful curveball that falls as sharply and violently as the Nixon administration.
Zack Wheeler’s Sinker
Though Monday night saw Rhys Hoskins return to Philadelphia, Zack Wheeler stole the show. This 95-mile-per-hour sinker shines with excellent dropping action that stun-locks Sal Frelick like an NPC. Wheeler allowed just one run over seven innings and 114 pitches, walking three and striking out six to bolster his NL Cy Young candidacy.
Nathan Eovaldi’s Fastball
Speaking of stun-locks, let’s talk about this fastball from Nathan Eovaldi. This dime drives 98 miles per hour through the air, travels across the zone, and drills its target to befuddle Gio Urshela. Dominating Detroit seemed to be the theme for Eovaldi, who struck out seven and allowed one run and three hits in five-and-two-thirds innings.
Tarik Skubal’s Fastball
Despite allowing a leadoff home run to Marcus Semien, Tarik Skubal was not to be outdone. Over his six innings, Skubal allowed just one run, two walks, and seven hits while striking out six. He was every bit the Cy Young contender he’s looked to be, even without his best stuff. That said, Skubal still showcased his stuff, evident by this skying four-seamer that blows by Jonah Heim.
Kyle Gibson’s Sweeper
It was the battle of the graybeards between Justin Verlander and Kyle Gibson Monday night. Though the elder statesmen coughed up a combined seven runs, flecks of youth remained like a pesky gray hair even Just For Men can’t erase. Look no further than Gibson’s sweeper that circumnavigated the plate and drew Yainer Diaz’s bat after it. Maybe age is but a number.
José Leclerc’s Slider
Welcome to the MLB, Justyn-Henry Malloy! José Leclerc is here to give you a taste of what you can expect. His fourth course of the at-bat is this biting cross-body with an airy aftertaste. Compliments to the chef are welcome but not expected.
Grayson Rodriguez’s Changeup
Grayson Rodriguez stumped Toronto’s lineup Monday and particularly stumped Daniel Vogelbach with this changeup. Watch its late movement. Just as Vogelbach gyrates his hips and flings his bat at the ball, it’s just starting its descent. While punching out Vogelbach’s was just one out of Rodguez’s four on the night, the left-hander allowed just one run over six-and-two-thirds innings, earning him his sixth win.
Andrew Abbott’s Sweeper
There’s an upside and a downside to pitching at Coors Field. If you’re Andrew Abbott, the upside is you get to pitch against the Rockies. The benefits of this manifested themselves in this swing from Jacob Stallings. Jokes aside, it’s a marvelous pitch, working right-to-left, outside-to-inside with a beautiful tail. The downside of pitching at Coors is Abbott’s liable to allow a homer, six hits, and three runs in an otherwise strong start.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurtwasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram