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.
Logan Webb’s Changeup
If Monday’s Giants-Nationals game were an ABC Afterschool Special, Logan Webb would play the part of the bully. And where there is a bully, there is the pocked-faced, zit-marked glasses-wearing victim of said bully’s wrath. Keibert Ruiz fulfilled that role, biting and flailing at this changeup. Webb seemingly stuffed every other member of the Nats into their lockers, allowing just two hits over his first six innings. While the revenge of the proverbial nerds came in the seventh, Webb got the last laugh, recording his ninth win of the season.
Ryan Walker’s Slider
Nationals play-by-play-man Bob Carpenter called this Ryan Walker slider to Jacob Young unreachable. That might be an understatement. Walker finds some wicked torque on this pitch, not just driving it down but burying it well below the zone at the last second. Young never could’ve touched a pitch like this. No one can.
Sean Manaea’s Sweeper
After dropping a series to the Angels, the Mets needed a stopper, and in stepped Sean Manaea. The southpaw rolled over the Redbirds, holding them scoreless over his seven innings while striking out 10. Manaea undressed Brendan Donovan for his fourth punchout of the night, using a sweeper that drops like a stone. The Mets went on to win 6-0 behind a brick-walling Manaea, who hasn’t yielded a run in 14 straight innings.
Tyler Glasnow’s Slider
It was the battle of aces in Los Angeles Monday night, and Tyler Glasnow got off to a hot start. The lanky long-haired hurler opened his night by striking out the side. Bryce Harper was Glasnow’s third and final victim, understandably falling for this vicious almost 12-6-esque slider. Glasnow went on to record seven strikeouts in the first three innings. A return to form would be nice for the Dodgers and Glasnow. The latter entered Monday’s affair with a 6.43 ERA over his last four starts.
Camilo Doval’s Slider
Our list decided to double up on gnarly sliders from Giants relievers. This time, we’re turning our attention to Camilo Doval. Doval, like Walker, opts for a divebombing slider. While Walker’s dropped late, Doval’s drops halfway to completion. Regardless, the result is the same — a strikeout and a place on our list.
Kyle Hendricks‘ Changeup
Kyle Hendricks is in on his last leg. The 34-year-old entered Monday’s matchup with the Twins with a 6.70 ERA, the worst in baseball among all starters with at least 70 innings pitched. We’re at or nearing the end. But that doesn’t mean Hendricks can’t spin it. The right-hander made Matt Wallner bend the knee to the old guard with this vintage changeup. Hendricks conjured his old self all night, limiting the Twins to two runs on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts. It was his first quality start since July 12 and only his third this season.
James Paxton’s Knuckle Curve
James Paxton is back in Boston’s colors and didn’t waste a second to reestablish himself. The veteran took to the mound on Monday and railroaded a red-hot Royals offense, allowing just one run on five hits and a walk over six innings. Of course, Paxton didn’t return to Boston empty-handed. He brought his knuckle curve with him, much to the chagrin of Michael Massey who looked absolutely bamboozled by the pitch.
Nick Martinez’s Slider
Nick Martinez made mincemeat out of Jake Burger with this helicoptering slider in the third to escape a scoring threat. And the word helicopter is apt here. The pitch starts veering left only to drive further in that direction to seal Burger’s fate. Martinez and Cincinnati cruised from that point on to a 10-3 win.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurtwasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram