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!
Deivi García’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/TerrificRingedBird
Deivi García made his MLB debut yesterday in game 2 of the Subway Series doubleheader. García settled in quickly against the Mets, and pitched six fabulous innings, allowing only one (unearned) run and striking out six. García utilizes a devastating curveball which he throws here to get Amed Rosario swinging in the dirt. The hook is fantastic, and Yankee fans everywhere should be excited for this kid moving forward.
Luis Castillo’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/SpiritedCaringBubblefish
The Reds got absolutely demolished by the Cubs yesterday afternoon, and much of that is due to the fact that their ace, Luis Castillo, has not showed up this year. Castillo still has his strikeout stuff working, and his walk and home run rates are both lower than last year, but things just haven’t been coming together. Still, Castillo can really paint with his filthy sinker, which darts over the inside edge of the plate here, and gets Anthony Rizzo leaning out of the box.
Dane Dunning’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/GrandioseWeightyHuman
Dane Dunning made his second career start yesterday, and boy, was it one to remember for the young starter. Dunning threw five no hit innings, allowing only one batter to reach base on balls. Dunning struck out seven opposing hitters, including Ryan O’Hearn, who goes down swinging at this filthy slider that drops out on the Royals first baseman.
Josh Staumont’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/SpitefulDeliriousDove
Staying with the Royals-Sox game, we’re taking a look at a guy who’s developed into one of the premier relief pitchers in baseball this year. Josh Staumont has had himself a very nice season so far. With 13.2 innings under his belt he has 17.7 K/9, and an ERA that stands at 0.66. Yesterday, he improved that ERA by throwing a scoreless seventh inning. Here he casually tosses a blazing 99 mph fastball on the outer edge of the plate to get James McCann swinging.
Chris Paddack’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/SmoothVioletAsiandamselfly
Chris Paddack was one of the breakout stars of 2019, but his 2020 so far has been less than impressive. However, yesterday afternoon, we saw the 2019 version of Paddack on display. He struck out eight over six innings in which he didn’t allow any earned runs. Here he is using his go-to strikeout pitch, his changeup, to get Charlie Blackmon swinging.
Blake Snell’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/FlusteredImmediateAmurminnow
Yesterday was all about the bats in the Rays lineup who put on a show in a 12-7 victory over the Marlins, but Blake Snell also had himself a solid day on the mound and deserves some credit. Snell struck out five Marlins over five innings and collected his third win of the season. Here he uses his signature curve and brings down the hammer on Lewin Díaz for a disgusting swinging strike three.
Taylor Clarke’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/ShallowForsakenFireant
We move out West now, and talk about Taylor Clarke who went five innings and struck out seven Giants. On the surface, Clarke has been elite, but his 2.22 ERA can be deceiving. He has only a bit above a 2/1 K/BB ratio and gives up about 1.5 HR/9. Still, he impressed on the mound, allowing only one run, thanks to pitches like this that make guys like Pablo Sandoval look silly.
Johnny Cueto’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/ScarceLiveBuck
Just two batters after Clarke got Sandoval with his changeup, Johnny Cueto took the mound to show off an offspeed pitch of his own. Cueto, who went 6.2 innings and struck out six, uses his own filthy change to get David Peralta swinging at a pitch that was executed to perfection. There was absolutely no chance for Peralta on that filthy offering.
Adam Wainwright’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/AmusedGenerousFlea
Finally today, we visit Adam Wainwright who turned 39 yesterday, and threw a complete game on his birthday! You don’t see many stat lines like these today, but that’s because guys usually don’t throw 122 pitches (especially when they’ve already given up 2 runs). But Wainwright is from a different generation, and yesterday he brought some of that old school baseball back. Finishing off this morning, we go with this filthy curve that forces Carlos Santana to break the plane as he goes down on a swinging strike three.
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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