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!
Kevin Gausman’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/cloudydrearyibex
Kevin Gausman seems to have a spot locked down on the Nastiest Pitches list every time he takes the mound. His splitter has been absolutely dominant this year with a wOBA of .133 and a whiff rate of 49%. It’s easy to see why with this splitter to Mookie Betts, the first batter he faced on the night.
Alex Reyes‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/secretcheapaardvark
Cardinals’ closer Alex Reyes came on for the two-inning save Tuesday night as the Diamondbacks’ road woes continue. Reyes’ final pitch of the game was a fantastic back-foot slider to strikeout Josh Rojas. (h/t to PL + member Ceb_9706)
Joe Ross‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/euphoricassureddeinonychus
Joe Ross was spotted an early lead because all Kyle Schwarber does is hit home runs. Ross did well to carry that early momentum on the mound as he completed six and a third while striking out seven and allowing only two runs. He got Mike Zunino to chase a slider way outside to pick up the strikeout in the second.
Andrew Heaney’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/enlightenedlimpingcrocodile
Andrew Heaney did not have a good outing on Tuesday as the lefty was able to last only three innings while allowing six runs. Aaron Judge would account for two of those runs with a two-run homer in the second, but Heaney got him in the first with a well-placed curveball.
Tony Santillan’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/separatecharmingcockatoo
Tony Santillan was tasked with taking on the Padres’ red-hot lineup on Tuesday. The young righty struggled to limit baserunners and was chased from the game after three innings. However, he did strikeout Jake Cronenworth with a nice back-foot-breaking ball to escape a jam in the second.
Charlie Morton’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/discretebruisedafricanrockpython
Charlie Morton dominated the Mets his last time out, and that success carried over into Tuesday’s rematch. Morton may be getting up there in age, but his breaking ball is as good as ever, and six of his seven strikeouts came on the pitch. He showed it off to Michael Conforto here for the second out of the sixth.
Brandon Woodruff’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/powerfulfriendlyfairyfly
Brandon Woodruff led the first-place Brewers in an attempt to hold off the second-place Cubs. The winners of six straight, the Brew Crew extended that number to seven on Tuesday night as Woodruff held the Chicago offense in check. He struck out eight, including Jason Heyward here on a filthy curveball. (h/t to PL + member Pete Dixon)
Jake Brentz’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/reliableyounggartersnake
Jake Brentz was the first reliever out of the pen for the Royals on Tuesday, and he picked up a trio of strikeouts in his lone inning of work. He concluded the sixth with a nasty slider to Rafael Devers. (h/t to PL + member Pete Dixon)
Trevor Rogers‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/youngzigzagkomododragon
Trevor Rogers has been remarkably consistent for a young starter and a major piece of the Marlins’ youth movement on the mound. He took on Philadelphia in an NL East matchup on Tuesday and limited the Phillies to two runs, though he didn’t receive much help on the offensive end. Andrew McCutchen knocked in the first run of the night but ended up as Rogers’ ninth and final strikeout of the evening as well.
Matt Barnes‘ Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/ajarunsightlyhoneybadger
Matt Barnes struck out the side to end the game, and all three K’s came on his nasty breaking ball. His best may have been the knuckle-curve to sit down slugger Salvador Perez for the second out of the inning.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)