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!
Gerrit Cole’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/pettyeverycrocodile
Starting off, we have a brutal heater from Gerrit Cole’s masterful outing. Cole didn’t surrender a hit until the eighth as he fired off a dozen strikeouts against the Rays. Here Cole throws paint to notch his first strikeout of the game and freeze Randy Arozarena.
Corbin Burnes‘ Cutter
https://gfycat.com/wideeyedgroundedbaleenwhale
Corbin Burnes was dominant yet again Monday night, as the reigning Cy Young winner struck out 10 hitters over seven scoreless frames. As always it was Burnes’ cutter that stole the show, and here he slips one through the back door to strikeout Nolan Gorman.
David Peterson’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/vengefulofficialhuia
Back door cutters are wonderful, but back foot sliders are also pretty. This one comes courtesy of David Peterson, who pitched 5.1 scoreless inning in the Mets win over the Marlins. Here Peterson strikes out Luke Williams who is absolutely fooled by this great slider.
Shane McClanahan’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/alertgratefulbushbaby
Now for yet another pitch with some devastating movement, we turn to Shane McClanahan. McClanahan kept the Rays in this one, and much of that credit goes to his amazing changeup. Here the pitch zigs out of the zone as Aaron Hicks is left swinging at air.
Max Fried’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/separatefragrantchuckwalla
Ah, the Max Fried curve. A staple of Nastiest Pitches, Fried’s breaking ball is one of the most disgusting offerings in the league. Fried can bend the hook just about as well as anyone, and here he uses the pitch to put away Mike Yastrzemski on three strikes.
Lance Lynn’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/entireaccuratehind
Next up we’ve got a curveball from Lance Lynn. Lynn, who recently made his season debut has pitched a bit below expectations, but there’s no real worries just yet. And if Lynn can keep his curveball moving like he did on this pitch, there should be no reason for White Sox fans to sweat.
José Berríos‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/offbeatenragedamericanwarmblood
Onto another curveball, this time from a pitcher whose struggles are a bit more worrisome. José Berríos has not had anything work for him this year. However, his curveball looks just as filthy as ever. Here he sets down José Abreu, who stands no chance at making contact.
Logan Webb’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/scareddependableermine
And lastly, we have a slider from Logan Webb. Webb pitched phenomenally for the Giants, striking out seven hitters in seven innings. Here, on his 101st pitch of the night, he strikes out Adam Duvall on a wicked slider that rips out of the zone.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)