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!
Max Fried’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/differentbronzebeetle
The elegant Atlanta lefty Max Fried pitched a beauty to draw his team level in the NLDS against the Brewers, shutting out Milwaukee across six dominant innings that included nine strikeouts. This unreal 84 mph slider to fell Avisaíl García was the stuff of dreams.
Brandon Woodruff’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/blondenviouseyas
The margins are just so fine in the postseason and Brandon Woodruff ended up on the losing side despite an impressive performance across six innings, posting seven strikeouts. My favorite pitch of the day from the Brewers starter was this electrifying 97 mph sinker down and inside to Freddie Freeman.
Aaron Ashby’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/SereneSoulfulAsiaticgreaterfreshwaterclam
I let out a cry of “oh, golly” when Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby induced the great Freddie Freeman once again (sorry, Freddie!) into swinging at this perfectly placed 98 mph sinker high in the zone. Nasty heat!
Tyler Matzek’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/FragrantTepidGodwit
Big Atlanta lefty Tyler Matzek closed out the eighth inning with this beautiful 86 mph slider to strike out Avisaíl García – his third strikeout in just 1 1/3 innings of work.
Luke Jackson’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/bowedfataldairycow
Here’s Luke Jackson saying, “my slider is pretty good too, you know!” This viciously disappearing 89 mph hard slider is way too good for Christian Yelich.
Kevin Gausman’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/TerrificSlightHoneycreeper
It wouldn’t be a Nastiest Pitches article without a trademark Kevin Gausman split-finger! Pulled too early from this one, Gausman struck out seven through 5 1/3 innings with six coming by way of his splitter. Cody Bellinger is the victim of this vanishing 87 mph effort.
Julio Urías‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/HeftyAmazingHorsemouse
The Dodgers tied up the series with the Giants on the back of another stellar outing from young Julio Urías – he went five innings, striking out five and allowing just one earned run. This lovely 84 mph changeup to Buster Posey in the first inning set the tone for the night.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)