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!
Tyler Chatwood’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/defiantsophisticatedkoalabear
This was Tyler Chatwood’s 10th strikeout of the night, and he ended up with 11 in 6 2/3 innings against the Pirates. Who on earth saw this coming? Sure, there was some buzz after his last start against Milwaukee, but 11 strikeouts? He has a career K/9 of 6.53 but he’s absolutely blowing that out of the water in 2020 with 19 in 12 2/3 innings already. This cutter was a filthy way to complete striking out the side in the fifth, and Chatwood should now be on everyone’s radar in fantasy.
Tyler Glasnow’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/insecuregoldenape
Tyler Glasnow missed his spot a bit here, but the late cut action on this 97 MPH fastball sent Austin Hays walking back to the dugout anyway. Glasnow got a little wild in this one and wasn’t as effective as some of us would have liked, but he did strike out five and he at least gave us this highlight. The Orioles’ offense has been sneaky good this year, but it’s still the Orioles and Glasnow needs to be better if he’s going to be an ace. He’s got the talent to do it and I’m sure it’s just right around the corner. (H/T PL+ member Shafiq)
Jake Diekman’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/pastellinearhammerheadshark
Jake Diekman has retooled his slider this season thanks in large part to Tampa Bay Rays‘ reliever Chaz Roe and the one and only @PitchingNinja. On July 25th, Diekman replied to a GIF of Chaz Roe’s slider and asked to see the grip Roe uses to throw the pitch. Mr. Ninja happily responded with a video showing the grip, and Diekman has already since doubled the amount of horizontal break he gets on his slider. WHAT. So Diekman is now utilizing the Chaz Roe slider grip? And it’s working after only a week? Sheesh. The AL West better look out, because a little birdie tells me the changeup may be next.
Zack Godley’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/unevenhoarsehomalocephale
Ignore the fact that Aaron Judge crushed a solo home run off of Zack Godley later in this at-bat. Also, please ignore the fact that Godley gave up five earned runs in only 3 1/3 innings on Saturday night. At the moment this pitch was thrown, Godley was on pace to throw a perfect game, and this pitch would have been in the ensuing highlight video. For some reason, our universe got swapped with another one where the Yankees instead clobbered the Red Sox on Saturday night. I can only imagine how Bostonians are celebrating in the alternate, pandemic-free universe where Godley actually threw his perfecto.
Touki Toussaint’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/enlightenedhugegermanshorthairedpointer
Touki Toussaint has one of the best names in baseball. Touki would also make a great dog name, and that’s coming from someone who has two future Hall of Fame dogs named Felix and Manny. What does that say for Touki the human’s future? Well, if he can keep throwing these gorgeous breakers (and keep his fastball from getting shelled) then maybe he has a future date with Cooperstown. It’s a long shot at this point, but the talent and pedigree are certainly there. I think my cat would off me in my sleep if we brought another dog into the family, but Touki the dog will exist someday and he will be the goodest boy of them all.
Yusei Kikuchi’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/famouswideeyedamericanredsquirrel
Fun fact: Yusei Kikuchi’s average fastball velocity has increased from 92.5 MPH in 2019 to 95.9 MPH in 2020. This increase is paying dividends for him, and he delivered a stellar nine strikeouts over six innings on Saturday. This particular fastball was well located on the inside of the zone against monster masher Matt Olson, who looked completely lost as he struck out three times in the game. Don’t sleep on Kikuchi any longer.
Zack Greinke’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/reasonableimpishasianelephant
Zack Greinke’s slow curveball is often mistaken for an eephus, but it doesn’t really matter since the result is still the same. Jason Castro had to hesitate after planting his lead foot, which completely threw off his timing and led to a whiff and a K. As Greinke has aged and his velocity has declined he has needed to become crafter on the mound in order to get outs. It was working for the most part on Saturday as he started the game with 5 1/3 perfect innings before falling apart. Greinke puts on a show every time he’s on the mound, and it’s always a ton of fun to watch. (H/T PL+ member Grace)
Carlos Carrasco’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/carefulreflectinggermanshorthairedpointer
Carlos Carrasco wasn’t as sharp Saturday as he usually is, but he did have Marwin Gonzalez completely fooled on this pitch. Gonzalez couldn’t decide whether to swing or not so he half committed to a half swing – a quarter swing? He got caught with his hands in the cookie jar and just couldn’t get them out in time. It didn’t end up having an effect on the rest of the game, as Starvin’ Marwin wound up going 2 for 3 on the day to get the last laugh.
Kenta Maeda’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/flusteredlineararuanas
Kenta Maeda was locked in on Saturday night, allowing only two baserunners in his six innings on the mound. This pitch to Carlos Santana was the second low and away changeup in a row that Santana looked totally foolish on. Maeda’s changeup was on point, generating 7/24 whiffs and three of his six strikeouts. This is the Maeda we were hoping for when he was traded, and Twinning is already way more fun than Dodgeritis. Keep it up, Kenta!
Taylor Rogers‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/fakehoarseagama
If you watch this clip with sound you can actually hear Franmil Reyes breaking his bat in frustration after this devastating slider to end the game. Taylor Rogers saved the win for a very deserving Kenta Maeda on a night that the Indians simply didn’t have it. It’s been a frustrating beginning to the season for the Franimal and hopefully a new bat will help him break out of his slump.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner may be featured in our Nastiest Pitches tournament midway through the season.
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