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 Gilbert’s Slider
Entering 2024, the Seattle Mariners were seen as having one of the top starting rotations in the league. Through a dozen games, the results have not lived up to that top billing, and manager Scott Servais called on Logan Gilbert for a team in desperate need of a win. Gilbert delivered with eight strikeouts over seven and two-thirds allowing only a single run in the M’s eventual extra-inning win. Gilbert punched out Kevin Kiermaier here on a great slider.
Aaron Nola’s Knuckle-Curve
Aaron Nola didn’t put up his typical strikeout numbers on Wednesday, with only three, but limited the Cardinals to only two runs over six innings and still showed off his great breaking ball on a strikeout of Brandon Crawford.
Keegan Akin’s Slider
Keegan Akin worked a pair of scoreless innings in relief and picked up the win in Baltimore’s comeback win over the Red Sox. Akin struck out four, the first coming on a filthy slider to Jarren Duran.
Brennan Bernardino’s Curveball
Another strong relief appearance in the Sox-O’s game belonged to Brennan Bernardino, as he matched Akin with two scoreless innings of his own. The Sox lefty put away Adley Rutschman on a nasty backfoot curve.
Dylan Cease’s Knuckle-Curve
Dylan Cease recorded his first win in a Padres uniform on Wednesday afternoon as the Friars blew out the visiting Cubs. Cease tallied seven Ks and made Mike Tauchman look foolish on this knuckle-curve.
José Cuas‘ Sweeper
José Cuas worked the final frame in mop-up duty with the Cubs already facing a big deficit when he entered. He allowed a run of his own but picked up a couple of strikeouts and sat down Brett Sullivan on a fantastic sweeper.
Austin Gomber’s Knuckle-Curve
It’s been a rough start to the season in Denver as the Rockies fell to 3-10 after Wednesday’s loss. Starter Austin Gomber did his best to keep his team in it with six innings of two-run ball, but the bats and the bullpen both struggled in an eventual 5-3 loss.
Gomber collected four strikeouts on the afternoon, all on off-speed pitches, with his final K coming on a great knuckle-curve to Randal Grichuk.
Kutter Crawford’s Splitter
We’ve already noted two strong relief appearances in Boston today, but Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford put forth a respectable outing of his own and left after five innings with a 5-0 lead. He would ultimately receive a no-decision, but not before recording six strikeouts, including one of Cedric Mullins on a nice splitter.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire. Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)