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The 9 Nastiest Pitches from Wednesday

Wednesday's best across Major League Baseball.

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.

 

Yusei Kikuchi’s Slider

 

 

Yusei Kikuchi allowed a leadoff homer to Baltimore’s Jordan Westburg but would end the scoring there as the lefty struck out nine over four and a third. Kikuchi got rookie Colton Cowser to chase a great slider here to record the first out of the second.

 

Trevor Rogers‘ Slider

 

 

The Marlins scored two in the first and that proved to be all they would need as Trevor Rogers and a quartet of relievers went on to shut out the Tigers. Rogers struck out six and put away Wenceel Pérez on a fantastic back-foot slider.

 

Andrés Muñoz’s Four-Seam Fastball

 

 

Andrés Muñoz was called upon to record a five-out save on Wednesday afternoon and proved up to the task with a trio of strikeouts. He ended the eighth with some high heat to Vinnie Pasquantino.

 

Alec Marsh’s Curveball

 

 

Alec Marsh started for the Royals in the matinee, tossing five innings of two-run ball while striking out seven. His final strikeout of the night came on a filthy curve to Josh Rojas.

 

Charlie Morton’s Curveball

 

 

It was a short outing for Charlie Morton on Wednesday with the veteran only completing three innings against the visiting Cubs. He struck out four in the outing and showed off his vintage breaking ball with a strikeout of Pete Crow Armstrong.

 

Austin Gomber’s Knuckle-Curve

 

 

Austin Gomber took the mound for the Rockies in Wednesday’s NL West showdown in San Diego. Gomber shut out the Padres over six innings while striking out five. Three of those came on his big knuckle-curve, like this one to José Azocar.

 

Justin Lawrence’s Sweeper

 

 

Justin Lawrence relieved Gomber and tossed a shutout inning of his own. Lawrence began his outing with a strikeout of Manny Machado on a frisbee sweeper that continued to run away from the zone.

 

Michael King’s Changeup

 

 

Opposing Gomber was Padres’ starter Michael King who was coming off his best outing to date. He was unable to repeat last week’s strong performance, but still managed to strike out seven and concluded his outing with a punchout of Elehuris Montero on a nasty changeup.

 

Framber Valdez’s Changeup

 

 

Framber Valdez recorded his best start of the year against the Oakland A’s on Wednesday evening with seven shutout innings and eight strikeouts. He split his Ks between his change and curve, with four apiece, and put away Tyler Nevin on a darting 92 MPH changeup.

 

What was the Nastiest Pitch from 5/15?

 

Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire. Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)

    Colin McCusker

    Colin is a former collegiate pitcher who now spends his time watching as much baseball as possible.

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