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!
Casey Mize’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/electricabsoluteemu
Casey Mize’s debut in his sophomore campaign was solid, though short. While he only gave up one run over his four innings, he wasn’t particularly efficient and did give up a decent amount of hard contact. His first inning was his best as he struck out the side. His first victim was Luis Arraez, who struck out on a great backfoot slider that followed up an elevated fastball.
Drew Smyly’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/thirdmarriedgazelle
The Nationals finally got their season underway on Tuesday as their lineup faced off against Drew Smyly. Smyly did give up a lot of hard contact but racked up eight strikeouts in his six innings of work. He got Juan Soto in the first to flail at a curveball down and out of the zone. (h/t to PL+ member KingHippo)
Max Scherzer’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/glamoroussamekid
Opposing Smyly on the mound was Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer. His final line didn’t look great, as he was hurt by the long ball, including two home runs to Ronald Acuña, but Scherzer got his as well, totaling nine strikeouts in his six innings. He impressively picked up at least one strikeout on five different pitches. One of his two Ks to come on a changeup was this one to Freddie Freeman at the bottom of the zone.
Dylan Bundy’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/tornremoteivorybackedwoodswallow
After a decent 2021 debut, Dylan Bundy dominated the Astros in his second turn through the rotation. He registered a 40% CSW across all of his pitches, picking up ten strikeouts in six innings. He took down Yordan Alvarez in the first with this curveball that absolutely fell off the table.
Sandy Alcantara’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/silentmintyenglishpointer
Sandy Alcantara was extremely sharp early on in this one, not allowing a hit until the 4th. He collected ten strikeouts over the course of the game, throwing six innings while giving up three runs (two earned). He struck out the side in the 3rd starting with Dylan Carlson, putting him away with a filthy changeup.
Gerrit Cole’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/immensefrayedcattle
Gerrit Cole took a no-decision on Opening Day but got himself back in the win column Tuesday night leading the Yankees to a 7-2 victory. He totaled 13 strikeouts on the night and made Cedric Mullins look foolish on this changeup that dove hard away.
Tyler Glasnow’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/thoughtfulfixedindianglassfish
Every time that Tyler Glasnow takes the mound there is a good chance that he ends up on Nastiest Pitches. With a fastball that touches 100 mph and a big breaking ball, he can dominate hitters when he’s right. That was the case here against Alex Verdugo as he followed up a 99 mph elevated fastball with his signature curveball that finished below the zone.
Freddy Peralta’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/ickyuniquecrow
Freddy Peralta had his curveball working last night, picking up eight strikeouts over five innings. It was especially devastating to lefties as all four Ks he picked up against them were via the curve. As you can see in the super slo-mo replay, Joc Pederson had no chance of connecting with that ball. (h/t to PL + member AnOldOldWoodenShippy)
Miguel Castro’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/heartythoseazurevasesponge
Roman Quinn thought he had ball four here but was called back as Miguel Castro’s sinker ran back over the inside corner of the plate. He followed up this 99 mph sinker with a 93 mph changeup that was just as nasty to earn the K.
Lucas Giolito’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/earlyunawareamurstarfish
Lucas Giolito had a long third inning that hurt his overall line, but he still showed off his dominant stuff tallying ten strikeouts in five and a third innings. His changeup absolutely fooled Evan White here to add to his strikeout total.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)