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.
Reid Detmers‘ Curveball
An astonishing performance from Reid Detmers as he struck out 12 in the Angels’ 2-1 win over the visiting Red Sox. Detmers has started the season like an ace and this performance earned him that title with ease. Mixing in his four-seam fastball with his slider and curveball, it was a masterful display. This 77 mph curve to strikeout Triston Casas was next-level nasty.
Paul Blackburn’s Sinker
Let’s stay in the American League West with the Athletics (are we even allowed to use Oakland anymore?). Paul Blackburn is likely going to lead this rotation to somewhere near respectability thanks to his workmanlike consistency and crafty approach. Blackburn pitched his second shutout in as many starts and this beautiful 90 mph two-seam fastball to dispose of Parker Meadows was a slice of brilliance.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Four-Seam Fastball
It’s a fine line between another disaster in the bottom of the first inning and pure brilliance. Yoshinobu Yamamoto worked himself out of another early jam with this 97 mph millimeter-perfect heater that nicked the bottom corner of the strike zone to dismiss Dansby Swanson.
Steven Matz’s Slider
It wasn’t the most dominant outing from Steven Matz as he induced only 10 swinging strikes among his 85 pitches but the veteran lefty looked in command of his arsenal. This 88 mph slider to strike out Jazz Chisholm Jr. was Matz’s most important pitch of the day, and it was a beauty.
Aroldis Chapman’s Sinker
How about the Cuban Missile rolling back the years to hit 101 mph on a vicious two-seam fastball? Yes, please! Aroldis Chapman blasts the ball past Ryan Mountcastle to preserve the Pirates’ one-run lead going into the ninth inning.
Michael Wacha’s Changeup
It was a day for the veterans and Royals journeyman Michael Wacha enjoyed an eight-strikeout night mainly thanks to his changeup. This 81 mph changeup to fell Dominic Fletcher was his pitch of the day.
Bryce Miller’s Splitter
Young Mariners starlet Bryce Miller struck out seven and allowed just three hits and a walk across seven superb scoreless innings. Miller worked himself out of a key situation in the bottom of the fourth inning and didn’t look back from there. This brilliant 84 mph split-finger fastball to strike out Oliver Dunn had Miller fired up.
Michael King’s Changeup
A much-improved performance from Michael King, who walked just one hitter en route to seven shutout innings. His four strikeouts were encouraging too including this nasty 87 mph changeup to fell LaMonte Wade Jr.
Ryan Feltner’s Changeup
Big winds at Coors Field meant compromises on camera angles but we could not ignore Ryan Feltner’s terrific outing for the Rockies in their loss to the Rays. Feltner struck out 10 and allowed just one run through six innings. This 85 mph changeup to dispose of Ben Rortvedt was a gem.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram