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.
Nick Lodolo’s Curveball
The return of Nick Lodolo was a welcome sight for all pitching lovers out there. The young lefty did not disappoint with 10 strikeouts across five and a third dominant innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. He also bamboozled veteran Robbie Grossman with this vicious 82 mph curveball. Legitimate nasty.
Garrett Crochet’s Slider
On the opposite side of the mound, Garrett Crochet also struck out 10 despite running into trouble in the second inning. Crochet was dominant with his heater, cutter, and slider – this 83 mph effort was far too good for Elly De La Cruz.
MacKenzie Gore’s Curveball
Young Nationals starlet MacKenzie Gore put on a show in his best performance as a pro, striking out 11 across five spectacular frames on his way to his second win of the season. Touching 98 mph on the fastball, he mixed in his devastating curveball in equal measures. This 12-6 beauty sat at 84 mph and totally wrung up J.D. Davis.
Yimi García’s Four-Seam Fastball
Striking out the side in the ninth inning, Yimi García notched his first save of the season thanks to a masterful outing. This 98 mph rising heater blew away Brenton Doyle to finish the contest.
Logan Webb’s Sinker
The San Francisco Giants ace cut a frustrated figure on the mound on occasion through this outing but he kept answering the call and used his fiery two-seam fastball as his go-to strikeout pitch. This beautiful low 83 mph sinker was far too good for Yandy Díaz just four pitches into the game.
Max Meyer’s Changeup
Surprise! It’s not the youngster’s brilliant slider but Max Meyer’s changeup instead that makes our list today. The Marlins hotshot was outstanding in his third start of the year earning the win thanks to six wonderful innings. This 87 mph changeup was magnificent to watch live.
Chris Sale’s Slider
You can see in slow-motion the exact moment on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s face when he knew he had been summarily defeated by this signature Chris Sale 78 mph slider.
Shota Imanaga’s Splitter
This was my first real extended look at new Japanese sensation Shota Imanaga, who impressed with four strikeouts through five and a third innings. Imanaga showed a crafty approach that managed to get him out of some tight spots. This 84 mph split-finger fastball was his pitch of the day.
Gavin Stone’s Sinker
A highly encouraging outing from Dodgers young gun Gavin Stone took more significance with the news Bobby Miller went on the injured list. Stone was electric as he mixed in his arsenal with plenty of success. This 96 mph sinker to dispose of Manny Machado was my choice of nastiest pitch of the day.