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.
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Charlie Morton’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/frightenedmisguidedisabellineshrike
Charlie Morton had a rough first inning that included four walks and a homer leading to a two-run Dodger lead. The veteran calmed down quickly after that and cruised through the next four frames. One of his five strikeouts came on a great breaking ball to Corey Seager to end the fourth.
Evan Phillips‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/dependablehighamericanavocet
Evan Phillips joined a myriad of Dodger relievers to see the mound on Tuesday and was actually the only LA pitcher other than starter Walker Buehler to record more than an inning’s worth of work. Phillips picked up three Ks and showed off a nasty slider to Austin Riley.
Nick Pivetta’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/mindlessspitefulkingbird
Nick Pivetta got the start for the Red Sox in game four as Boston attempted to take a 3-1 lead in the ALCS. After being used mostly in a relief role prior, Pivetta looked strong in his postseason start. He set up Chas McCormick well in this at-bat, following up a fastball up in the zone with this knee-buckling breaking ball for strike three.
Cristian Javier’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/meekthataustralianfurseal
Zack Greinke was the starter, though Cristian Javier pitched the bulk of this one for the Astros. Javier came on in the third and held the Sox offense at bay. He found himself in trouble in the fifth but struck out J.D. Martinez with a nice slider away.
Phil Maton’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/mindlessunhealthycatfish
Phil Maton followed up Javier and produced a clean inning of his own. Maton got Christian Arroyo swinging on a nice breaking ball at the bottom of the zone.
Nathan Eovaldi’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/thoroughacrobatichuia
Nathan Eovaldi made a surprise appearance out of the bullpen Tuesday night as the Sox, and ‘Stros were locked in a tie game heading into the ninth. Eovaldi allowed a leadoff double but bounced back the next at-bat to get Kyle Tucker on a nasty splitter.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)