Mason Miller’s Fastball
It’s not often that you see a player like Corey Seager end a game with four strikeouts. Well, that’s what happened yesterday. He struck out three times against JP Sears, and then he had one last chance to avoid the golden sombrero. Unfortunately for him, that chance came against Mason Miller, who dusted him with this mind-bending, 103 mph fastball.
Tayler Scott’s Slider
Yesterday’s Royals/Astros game was a tough watch with the game all but over from the jump following a meltdown from Hunter Brown. Pressed into mop-up duty, Tayler Scott dished out a tight slider to Salvador Perez in the fifth. Scott is an interesting story as a native of South Africa who was originally drafted by the Cubs back in 2011. Last year, he made brief cameos with the Dodgers, Red Sox, and A’s before making the opening-day roster with the Astros this season as a non-roster invitee.
Ranger Suárez’s Curveball
Suárez and Jared Jones provided the goods on a slim Thursday slate by combining for 16 strikeouts. The former ended the top of the third by busting Bryan Reynolds inside with a four-seamer, and then a cutter before dropping this hook that fell off the table.
Jared Jones‘ Slider
Jones flashed eye-popping stuff yet again last night. I’m not sure how anyone can manage to hit his stuff. He ended the third by decimating Trea Turner with his filthy slider.
Jared Jones‘ Curveball
I usually try my best to mix it up, but last night’s slate was, well, slim pickings. Besides, who doesn’t want to see this guy right now? Jones features two very distinct breakers: the hard slider, which we just saw, and this slower, nose-to-toes type curveball. In case you were wondering, no, Brandon Marsh did not survive getting into a two-strike count and went down on the next pitch, a slider. However, Marsh later got the last laugh by hitting a two-run shot that chased Jones from the game.
Garrett Whitlock’s Changeup
Garrett Whitlock had the changeup working last at Fenway Park against the Orioles. With Boston ahead 2-1 in the fifth and the tying run in scoring position, Whitlock dropped a changeup that tickled the bottom of the zone just enough for Gunnar Henderson to swing over the top of it.
Kenley Jansen’s Cutter
We had an exciting debut last night with Jackson Holliday getting the call. He had his first big moment in the ninth when he came up to the plate with the game tied and two runners aboard with two down. In case you’re wondering, Jackson’s dad, Matt, faced Kenley Jansen seven times and struck out four times with one hit. Jansen climbed the ladder with a nasty cutter, kept the tie intact, and proved like-father-like-son, at least in this matchup.