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!
Hyun Jin Ryu’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/ficklerigidbronco
Hyun Jin Ryu took a no-hitter into the sixth but ran into trouble in the frame and wound up allowing three runs and suffering the loss. He struck out the side the inning before and ended the fifth with a great curve to Ryan McKenna.
Lucas Giolito’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/naivecreativegarpike
Lucas Giolito no-hit the Pirates in 2020 and matched up with them again on Tuesday. While he gave up a few hits in this one, the White Sox would cruise to a win. He struck out Ben Gamel in the third, one of his five strikeout victims.
John Gant’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/flowerytartbull
John Gant looks like a completely different person without the long hair and beard, but his changeup is as recognizable as ever. He showed it off here to Patrick Wisdom to end the first.
Zach Davies‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/handmadeoblongfrog
Zach Davies opposed Gant in the matchup, and while neither of them eclipsed the five-inning mark, both were effective in their short starts. Davies ended the fourth with a nice change to Miguel Sano. (h/t to PL+ member Pete Dixon)
Blake Snell’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/easygoingpersonalemeraldtreeskink
Blake Snell led the struggling Padres to the desert, trying to pick up a second win against the bottom team in the NL. He did just that as he struck out ten over seven no-hit innings en route to a win. One of the ten victims was Pavin Smith, who whiffed on a great breaking ball at the bottom of the zone.
Charlie Morton’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/deliciousrealisticbeagle
Charlie Morton’s curveball is always a good bet to be featured in Nastiest Pitches, and it didn’t disappoint on Tuesday. A filthy back-foot-breaking ball sat down Corey Seager in the second.
Brandon Woodruff’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/safeclosedgoldfish
A day after having to face Cy Young contender Corbin Burnes, the Giants had to match up against ace Brandon Woodruff. Tuesday didn’t go much better than the day before as Woodruff dominated over his six innings of work. He struck out eight, including Buster Posey here.
Zac Gallen’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/bothsecondaryelephantbeetle
Zac Gallen wasn’t able to outduel Snell on Tuesday, considering the lefty managed seven no-hit innings. Gallen held his own, though, and put forth a quality start. He found himself in a jam in the fourth but got out of it with a great breaking ball that fell off the table to Jurickson Profar.
Jameson Taillon’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/severalobeseguppy
Jameson Taillon and the Yankees continued their West Coast trip on Tuesday on the heels of a three-game losing streak. Taillon was hit around a bit in this one, and New York dropped their fourth straight. He did strike out six, including Brandon Marsh on a curveball below the zone.
Blake Treinen’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/reflectingmeanaltiplanochinchillamouse
Blake Treinen struck out the side in the eighth, and any of the three strikeout pitches could have made the list. This slider to Jorge Soler may have been his best of the night, though as the Dodgers’ reliever continues to dominate opposing hitters.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)