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/preciousallcuckoo
The nastiest pitch of the day goes to Kevin Gausman, surprise surprise, whose splitter fooled Milwaukee’s bats early on. Milwaukee ended up getting to Gausman later in the game, but this disgusting pitch that dropped out of the zone at the very last moment is simply a thing of beauty.
Aaron Bummer’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/potablegraveamoeba
Aaron Bummer’s slider is an absolute thing of beauty. So much movement, so much deception, and the follow-through is so effortless. I would love to see this White Sox bullpen pitch deep into October simply so I can watch more of this pitch.
Aroldis Chapman’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/goodnaturedloathsomebarnswallow
This pitch from Aroldis Chapman was so nasty that even the catcher couldn’t square it up. Yes, he probably should have moved his body in front of it rather than just trying to snag it with his glove, but I’m no baseball instructor. I just deal with nasty pitches, and this is one.
Chris Sale’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/miserableglumamericancrocodile
Chris Sale had a pedestrian night by his standards with only three strikeouts over six innings, but he kept Boston in the game and did enough to help the team earn a much-needed victory. This slider is classic Sale, as it simply keeps going and going (and going) inside on the batter.
Max Scherzer’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/creativepalatablegaur
Yeah, Max Scherzer is enjoying his time in Los Angeles. That’s nine more strikeouts over a mere 76 pitches for the former Cy-Young award winner, and he’s in peak form just in time for a late-season World Series push.
Brusdar Graterol’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/livedapperkrill
After inheriting a 2-0 lead from Scherzer, Brusdar Graterol came in and proceeded to blow that lead and keep Scherzer from earning the win. He still found time to slide this nasty pitch past Ehire Adrianza for a wacky whiff.
Adam Ottavino’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/indeliblearcticgrackle
The COVID-depleted Red Sox somehow squeaked out a victory over the AL East-leading Rays, and Adam Ottavino pitched a flawless ninth to earn the save. The final pitch of the game was this filthy slider that was Brandon Lowe simply couldn’t lay off.
Emmanuel Clase’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/vacanthappyaffenpinscher
Not a great camera angle, but 100 MPH with movement will always play. Always.
Adbert Alzolay’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/yearlydisastrousbumblebee
Adbert Alzolay has transitioned to the bullpen and the initial results were very promising. One hit over four innings, no runs, five strikeouts, and a save of course. He’s one of my favorite young pitchers and he’s got nasty stuff, which I hope he will be able to improve on for next season.
Gerrit Cole’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/generousharmfulgnu
You didn’t think I’d leave out the man who struck out 15 Angels last night, did you? I had a hard time finding one of his pitches that was worthy of inclusion in this space, not because he wasn’t throwing nasty stuff (he was), but because the camera angle in Anaheim simply doesn’t show off the movement very well. Luckily we have a dope slo-mo of this pitch that helps elevate it for our purposes.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)