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!
Corbin Burnes‘ Sinker
https://gfycat.com/defiantmelloweeve
The winner of tonight’s GIF Sandwich is a starter who threw 5.1 innings of relief on Saturday night. Corbin Burnes was absolutely filthy in this one, striking out eight while only allowing four baserunners. He’s got the stuff to get the nod every fifth day, he just hasn’t been able to capitalize on the opportunities. Either way, he’s must-watch TV any time he takes the mound. So if he gets in more games this season as a reliever, then I’m all for it.
Amir Garrett’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/heartfeltwiltedafricangroundhornbill
Fun story: I was skipping around this game finding GIFs of Anthony DeSclafani and Corbin Burnes when I landed just as this pitch was thrown. That was easy! This is an unreal slider that completely fools Avisail Garcia into flailing at a pitch way out of the zone. Amir Garrett is one of the most emotional pitchers on the mound and it makes him one of the most fun players to watch. When Garrett is on, hoo boy look out because he can be untouchable.
Frankie Montas‘ Fastball
https://gfycat.com/improbablezestygourami
Frankie Montas flirts with the corner of the zone on this pitch and totally fools Alex Bregman en route to a called strike three. Montas was on fire Saturday, giving up two lone baserunners in seven innings of work. His five strikeouts weren’t his best day ever in that department, but he got the win against the dangerous Houston Astros and that’s all that matters.
Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/knobbyspectacularherculesbeetle
Clayton Kershaw’s beautiful curveball makes the Nastiest Pitches list for probably the 1700th time, but it’s been a worthy addition each time. This beautifully placed pitch fluttered right through the bottom of the zone for a called strike, while Hunter Pence thought for a moment he should swing before making the right decision not to. Kershaw wasn’t vintage Kershaw on Saturday night, but it’s still great to have him out on the mound anyway.
Johnny Cueto’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/personalthickgreatargus
Johnny Cueto, yes THE Johnny Cueto, took a no-hitter into the sixth inning on Saturday night, much to the surprise of many on Twitter who were wondering what year it is (it’s 2020, in case you’ve somehow forgotten). Anyway, Johnny Cueto is still slinging these nasty sliders years after his best stuff has left him, but if Bartolo Colon can stick around forever then why can’t Cueto?
Miguel Castro’s Two-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/imaginaryrectangulardamselfly
Miguel Castro makes this 97 MPH fastball look so effortless. He came in for the save on Saturday and the suddenly 7-7 Orioles are tied for second place in the AL East. We knew 2020 would be a wild year, but wouldn’t a Marlins-Orioles World Series be so fitting? The casual fan would hate it, but I think it would be as entertaining, if not more entertaining, than a matchup of, say, the Yankees and the Dodgers. I’m crossing my fingers!
Gerrit Cole’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/preciousnextcricket
Gerrit Cole was better in Saturday night’s game, but it still seemed like something is a little off. He hasn’t quite been the Gerrit Cole of old since he’s put the pinstripes on, but you’re crazy if you don’t think it’s right around the corner. Here he gets Mike Zunino swinging on a filthy breaker that loops right out of the zone. And while Zunino would go on to hit a double in the at-bat, Gerrit Cole still racked up ten strikeouts in his 4.2 innings on the night.
David Peterson’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/oilytediouscollie
I’m pretty sure Lewis Brinson broke on this play. He was hit by the pitch as he wildly swung at it before going down like a sack of potatoes. David Peterson only struck out three batters on the night, but this one clearly made up for the lack of three or four more subpar ones. Quality over quantity! (H/T PL+ member Shwebsi)
Chris Paddack’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/selfishmindlessacornwoodpecker
The camera angle does not do this pitch justice. There’s a ridiculous amount of break on this pitch that can’t fully be appreciated because the camera is a bit off-centered, but oh well. Paddack wasn’t particularly sharp on Saturday night, giving up seven baserunners and three earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched. He certainly had his moments however, and this was one of them.
Michael King’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/sourunkemptavocet
Michael King starts his motion with his right foot on the left side of the rubber, lands his left foot to the right of the right side of the rubber, then throws this ball all the way to the left side of the plate. It’s like a zigzag pattern, and I can’t even imagine how frustrating it must be for hitters who have to try figuring out what the heck this guy is going to throw. Austin Meadows was only recently activated from the IL, and I bet he hasn’t seen too many of these pitches lately so I can understand why he was fooled. Unreal pitch.
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.
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