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!
Max Scherzer’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/constantvariablegilamonster
Max Scherzer was pitched magnificently last night in a duel with Zack Wheeler, and he was not happy with Dave Martinez’s decision to pull him from the game. That’s the typical Scherzer mentality, and it’s part of what makes him so dominant. Scherzer had all his pitches working last night including a hopping changeup like this one to Brad Miller.
Julio Urías‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/glassfrequentcopperhead
Julio Urías has been one of the few Dodgers pitchers to stay healthy to start the season. Urías threw this tight curveball that gets the struggling Freedie Freeman way out in front. (h/t to PL+ member Matthew Q)
Matt Barnes‘ Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/knobbycomposedcatfish
Matt Barnes relied on his tightly spun breaking ball to strike out the side and close out the rival Yankees. Clint Frazier was left frozen on a pitch that probably looked like a high fastball out of the zone before breaking onto the outside black.
Zack Wheeler’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/favoriteorangecornsnake
Zack Wheeler was Max Scherzer’s opponent last night and was the tough luck loser on a night he allowed only two earned runs over 7.1 innings. Wheeler had a great curveball last night along with precision command of his fastball. Wheeler blew Kyle Schwarber away with this 99 MPH heater placed perfectly just in the strike zone.
Ian Anderson’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/bronzeafraidcowbird
Ian Anderson is one of the best young pitchers in baseball and has helped Atlanta survive injuries to key starters Mike Soroka and Huascar Ynoa. Anderson’s changeup seems to roll off the table and Chris Taylor doesn’t have enough time to hold up as he swings over the top. (h/t to PL+ member Matthew Q)
Shohei Ohtani’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/shortcompassionateindigowingedparrot
Every time Shohei Ohtani, the best baseball player in the world, pitches his splitter is likely to be featured in Nastiest Pitches. Ohtani has reached new heights as the Angels have let him loose and allowed him to control his training and recovery. (h/t to PL+ member Christopher Reeves)
Michael King’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/rapidsatisfiedarmyworm
Michael King had a rough start to the game showing no commanded of his hard sinker as he allowed three hits including a bomb from Rafael Devers that was the difference in the game. King settled down after that and was able to command his repertoire well enough to let his stuff shine like on this sharp curveball to Marwin González.
Freddy Peralta’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/ambitiousdeafeningcarp
The Brewers now have a documented track record of developing pitchers and Freddy Peralta is a great example. Pitchers like Peralta, Josh Lindblom, and Corbin Burnes have all improved their breaking balls. Peralta gets nasty lateral movement on this slide piece.
Blake Snell’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/fearfulbiodegradableethiopianwolf
Snell was electric last night and showed supreme life on his fastball up in the zone. The Mets lineup of Quadruple-A all-stars was no match for Snell’s filth last night.
Hirokazu Sawamura’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/spiffyrashaardvark
Hirokazu Sawamura struck out five batters in two innings of action to help the Red Sox bullpen lock down the win. Sawamura’s unique splitter did most of the damage.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)