Cole Ragans’ Curveball
What better way to kick off the return of Nastiest Pitches than with the guy who has been hyped up all off-season here? Ragans didn’t disappoint, racking up 19 whiffs and nine strikeouts. But his adversary, who, spoiler alert, might make an appearance later, also brought his A-game. Ragans started Willi Castro’s first at-bat with this perfectly spotted curveball before blowing him away upstairs with a 98 mph heater.
Jesús Luzardo’s Changeup
Luzardo concluded his first turn through the Pirates’ lineup by making Michael A. Taylor look absolutely silly with this changeup for his fourth K. He left the game after five with the Marlins ahead 4-2 but the pen couldn’t get the job done.
Tarik Skubal’s Fastball
Skubal also lived up to the offseason hype by holding the White Sox scoreless on three hits over six innings. His heater was a sight to behold, returning ten whiffs on 22 swings (45%), including this one high and tight to Andrew Vaughn in the fourth.
Pablo López’s Sweeper
We missed out on a Zack Wheeler vs. Spencer Strider matchup thanks to rain, but we saw a very good duel at Kauffman Stadium between the aforementioned Ragans and López, who did his best Pablo Picasso impersonation here with a perfectly painted sweeper on the outside corner to fan Hunter Renfroe.
Tyler Glasnow’s Slider
Tyler Glasnow aced his Dodger debut with flying colors earning the win while holding the Cards to one earned run over six innings. The former Tampa Bay Ray gifted Jordan Walker this sword in their first meeting before freezing him a 99 mph fastball for a called third strike.
Garrett Crochet’s Fastball
It’s probably not going to be a memorable season for White Sox fans. However, they might have something to look forward to every fifth day with Garrett Crochet, who bullied Mark Canha with this 100 mph heater for his third K.
Mitch Keller’s Sweeper
Keller’s slider to Jake Burger in his first at-bat almost looks like a magic trick, diving into the left-handed batter’s box at the last moment. Burger later won this battle with a single to right on a cutter that floated over the middle of the zone. Maybe he should’ve gone back to this thing again.
Josiah Gray’s Curveball
OK, sure, the final line was, umm, not what you want, but Gray’s curveball flashed by getting five whiffs on eight swings, including this one to Jeimer Candelario for his second strikeout of the afternoon. Now if only Gray could figure out what to do with his fastball.
Logan Webb’s Changeup
Logan Webb’s slider did most of the heavy lifting as his changeup only returned three whiffs on 20 swings. However, this one to Jake Cronenworth in the sixth was picture-perfect on the bottom corner of the zone.
Jason Foley’s Sinker
Thanks to sharp efforts from Skubal and Crochet, there wasn’t much room for offense out in Guaranteed Rate Field. Foley closed the Tigers’ 1-0 by tying Luis Robert Jr. in a knot with this ridiculous 101-mph sinker.