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!
Matthew Boyd’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/JovialSparseAstarte
Worthy to lead off any nastiest pitches article of this season is this delightful 75 mph curveball from recently-returned Tigers starter, Matthew Boyd. Nick Castellanos had no chance.
Marcus Stroman’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/AcidicSlimCattle
The Mets would probably be an absolute shambles without Marcus Stroman. The former Blue Jays starting pitcher has really shown his worth since Jacob deGrom hit the injured list. Here is a lovely 91 mph sinker painting the outside of Alcides Escobar’s strike zone.
Seth Lugo’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/ArtisticMinorAnaconda
Prior to giving up a two-run homer to Andrew Stevenson that tied the game and took the win away from Stroman, Seth Lugo punched out Keibert Ruiz with this sensational x mph curveball. Thanks to PL+ member nvita for spotting this bad boy. Ruiz’s bat hasn’t landed yet…
Jose Berrios’ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/DismalSpotlessGreendarnerdragonfly
The A’s series in Toronto against the Blue Jays has been high-quality and high-drama. José Berríos pitched a beauty today and struck out Jed Lowrie with this remarkable 84 mph curveball, his 102nd pitch of the night.
Tim Mayza’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/MammothIllBoa
One of the most underrated arms in the Toronto bullpen is Tim Mayza. Here’s his devastating 88 mph hard slider to strike out Skye Bolt. Vicious.
Clay Holmes‘ Sinker
https://gfycat.com/GroundedWarlikeAruanas
Another four strikeouts for Clay Holmes‘ filthy sinker. This 95 mph two-seamer, high and nestling inside the top corner of the strike zone, completely fooled Pedro Severino.
Jorge Lopez’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/YellowComplicatedHyena
A nice response from Orioles swingman Jorge López after giving up a game-tying homer, striking out Aaron Judge with this ripping 84 mph knuckle-curve.
Tanner Houck’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/GrandFarawayFlyingfox
This is just wonderful from young Red Sox starter Tanner Houck – here he jelly legs Yu Chang with an outside-in 84 mph slider that Chang thinks is way inside but ends up bang in the middle of the plate. Nasty!
Adrian Houser’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/KaleidoscopicGranularLiger
Adrian Houser has been one of the best pitchers in baseball these last few months and his lethal two-seam fastball is one to admire. Here he blows away future Hall of Fame first baseman Paul Goldschmidt with a 94 mph sinker, jamming him up high and inside.
Trevor Rogers‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/ActualUnderstatedEuropeanfiresalamander
It was great to see the young Marlins starter Trevor Rogers back on the mound. Here he disposes of the red hot Bryce Harper with an elite 84 mph changeup. Gee whiz, that’s nasty!
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)