Every morning, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious high-definition GIFs. We want to bring you the highest caliber of nastiness possible, so if you see a nasty pitch, please tell us about it. You can tweet @PitcherList to let us know and we’ll give you a shout-out here in the article if your tip makes the cut.
As a bonus for PL+ members, let us know about a pitch on the PL+ Discord in the Nasty Pitches Channel, and if your suggestion is included the next day, you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a free T-shirt!
Aaron Civale’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/saltyadmiredladybird
Starting today off with the nastiest pitch of the day, Aaron Civale’s curveball. I could have easily put four or five different curveballs from Civale in this piece but I had to choose the one that I believed was the nastiest. Among his eight strikeouts last night was this curveball to Marwin Gonzalez, sending him down swinging on one knee. (h/t to PL+ member tristall)
Blake Snell’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/hilariousanotherkitten
In one of the best starts of the season, Blake Snell went 5.2 innings with a season-high nine strikeouts on Monday against the Blue Jays. Snell really had his ace-like stuff working, and he fell just short of a quality start due to a higher pitch count, but flashed that high upside we were looking for during drafts. Here we see a beautiful curveball getting Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to chase out of the zone and go down swinging. (h/t to PL+ member Alex Tran)
Casey Mize’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/jitterysatisfiedfish
I have a feeling we will be seeing this for years to come, as Casey Mize has shown us all why he was a former No. 1 overall pick. While his final numbers this start were not what he would have hoped for, we’ve seen flashes with his strikeout stuff including this splitter down and in to get Anthony Rizzo swinging. (h/t to PL+ member nvita)
Alec Mills‘ Two-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/offbeatjampackediaerismetalmark
Sticking in Detroit, Alec Mills made anyone who picked him up as a streamer happy last night, earning the win in seven innings with seven strikeouts along the way. Among those seven strikeouts was this two-seamer painting the outside corner, leaving Jacoby Jones with nothing to do but watch it go by. (h/t to PL+ member AetherJ)
Trevor Bauer’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/vengefuldelayedgalah
One of the best pitchers in baseball this season has been Trevor Bauer and a lot of that success has to do with the increased spin he’s had on his fastball. While his start on Monday was not the best, he did rack up eight strikeouts in his 6.1 innings. Included in those strikeouts was one with that aforementioned fastball, painting the outside corner, and catching Luis Urias looking.
Jack Flaherty’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/gloomyskinnybangeltiger
Jack Flaherty was absolutely dominant on Monday night, allowing only one hit in his five innings of work. Because of the COVID-19 spread throughout the clubhouse, we have not gotten to see as much of Jack Flaherty as we would have hoped. He should be able to make it up down the stretch of the season, and if he looks as good as he did last night with this curveball catching Nicky Lopez swinging, those who drafted Flaherty will end up very happy.
James Karinchak’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/onlyharmlessisabellineshrike
One of the most dominant relievers in the league this season has been James Karinchak. While we are all hoping he eventually takes over for Brad Hand as the closer for Cleveland, we will have to settle for high leverage outings like these against the middle of the Twins’ order, where he struck out two in a hitless inning of work, including this curveball getting Nelson Cruz down swinging.
Devin Williams‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/spotlesswellmadeamericanmarten
Devin Williams has quietly had a really good season so far, helping to set up Josh Hader in Milwaukee. He has yet to allow a hit on his changeup, and half of his strikeouts have been on that pitch this season. In his outing on Monday, two out of his three strikeouts were on that pitch, including this one which caught Matt Davidson looking, adding to his already impressive season.
Jesus Luzardo’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/greatwholeelephantbeetle
Matching up with Lance Lynn this season is no small task, and Jesus Luzardo was up for that task on Monday, keeping the Athletics in the game through 6.2 innings, accruing seven strikeouts and allowing just three runs. His most impressive of those strikeouts was this slider to Jose Trevino, getting him down swinging.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner may be featured in our Nastiest Pitches tournament midway through the season.
[Total_Soft_Poll id=”2″]