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.
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Kenta Maeda’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/ficklerespectfulandalusianhorse
Kenta Maeda had it all working Tuesday night, as evidenced by his near no-hitter. Maeda struck out Keston Hiura for the second time of the night on this changeup that completely dives down and below the zone. Hiura was one of eight consecutive Brewers to strike out.
Kenta Maeda’s Slider
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We here at Nastiest Pitches normally try to have a diverse set of pitchers and pitch types, but after the night Kenta Maeda just had, we had to double up on Maeda. (And honestly Maeda could’ve had an entire Nastiest Pitches article to himself) Christian Yelich fell victim to Maeda’s slider the at bat prior to Hiura. Maeda finished the night with twelve strikeouts, allowing only one hit in eight innings. Unfortunately, the Brewers rallied in the ninth to tie the game and rob Maeda of the win, but the Twins would rally to win in twelve innings.
Tarik Skubal’s Slider
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Tarik Skubal got hit around a bit in his major league debut to the tune of four runs on seven hits in only two innings. He did, however, show off his swing-and-miss stuff that skyrocketed him up prospect lists. Here he gets Luis Robert to swing over a sharp backfoot slider. He would get Eloy Jimenez on the same pitch later in the inning to record his first career strikeout.
Masahiro Tanaka’s Splitter
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Masahiro Tanaka’s splitter is always a good candidate to show up on Nastiest Pitches. He had it working here, as he started off his outing with a strikeout of Austin Meadows. Tanaka would struggle in this one though, allowing six runs (five earned) in four innings of work.
Adrian Morejon’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/bruisedelatedguppy
Adrian Morejon pitched well Tuesday in his brief three innings of work. In this at bat to Nick Solak, Morejon pounded the top of the zone with fastballs before eliciting this non-committal swing from Solak on a “changeup” away. (Baseball Savant calls this a changeup, but that is a very curious grip.) (h/t to PL+ member pj20).
Zack Greinke’s Curveball
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Zack Greinke and Antonio Senzatela were locked in a pitcher’s duel in this one. Both starters went eight shutout innings before giving way to their respective bullpens as this one ended up going eleven innings. In this third inning at bat Greinke gets Garrett Hampson out in front and way off balance with a nice 72 mph curveball at the bottom of the zone. (h/t to PL+ member KingHippo).
Marco Gonzales‘ Curveball
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Marco Gonzales got the tough luck no decision in the Mariners’s 2-1 loss on Tuesday afternoon, throwing seven innings of one run ball, picking up nine strikeouts in the process. Gonzales’ final strikeout of the night came on this outstanding curveball to Enrique Hernandez.
Blake Treinen’s Sinker
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A day after the Seager brothers traded home runs, this Mariners and Dodgers matchup was a much more subdued affair. Blake Treinen worked the final inning and two thirds showing off his reputed sinker. This one to Kyle Seager may have been the best of the bunch as it sinks hard and just catches the bottom of the zone.
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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