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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Walker Buehler’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/BraveSecondKillifish
Although Walker Buehler only threw four innings last night, his return from the IL warrants a feature at the top of Nastiest Pitches this morning. Buehler returned to the mound last night in perfect form (at least near perfect, as he did allow one hit), and struck out six hitters. Here he uses his vicious knuckle-curve to get Robbie Grossman swinging and missing on a pitch that drops off the table.
Edwin Díaz’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/idioticdearestcattle
After a horrendous first season with the Mets, Edwin Díaz this year has looked much more like the guy that the Mets traded for at the end of 2018. Diaz has an elite 1.80 ERA, and here he shows you exactly why he does. He throws 100 on this disgusting rising fastball, an impossible pitch to lay off, and from the look of it, Eric Thames learned that lesson the hard way last night.
Chad Kuhl’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/UntidyMatureBlackbuck
It was a fantastic day on the mound for Chad Kuhl, who carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning against an elite Cubs lineup. The Pirates combined for a 2-hit shutout of Chicago and Kuhl led the charge. He struck out five opposing hitters over his seven frames on the mound, including Willson Contreras, who goes down swinging on a filthy slider that runs out of the zone.
Zach Plesac’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/HandyMeatyKoalabear
Zach Plesac completed his elite sophomore season last night with a less-than-elite outing against the White Sox in which he gave up four runs. Still, Plesac has a sparkling 2.28 ERA on the season, which speaks to how dominant he’s been this year. Last night, he at least had the strikeout stuff working, notching seven Ks on the scorecard, and here he uses his changeup to send Yoán Moncada back to the dugout with one of those.
Aroldis Chapman’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/HonorableMeanAgama
After spending most of the season on the injured list, Aroldis Chapman hasn’t had much time to make a mark on the Yankees’ regular season. But he should still prove to be a valuable asset for the team as they try to continue playing in October. Last night on the mound, Chapman showed he still has his elite stuff. Here he is throwing a filthy back foot slider to get Alejandro Kirk swinging.
Kevin Gausman’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/equalvictoriousantarcticgiantpetrel
Kevin Gausman finished off his 2020 season yesterday with a quality outing. He went six innings and allowed just two runners to cross home plate, while striking out nine. Gausman finishes the year with a career-high 11.81 K/9, and he’s certainly going to be a guy to watch early in 2021. I mean look at that heater. Raimel Tapia has no choice but to stand and stare as Gausman paints the edge with ease.
Corbin Burnes‘ Cutter
https://gfycat.com/CanineSarcasticBubblefish
Speaking of guys who I look forward to watching more next year, here’s Corbin Burnes. Unfortunately for Burnes, last night was the final nail in the coffin for his Cy Young campaign, as he allowed three runs over 3.2 innings. Still, Burnes finishes the season with an ERA sitting at 2.11, a fantastic mark, even in the shortened season. Burnes struck out five last night, and here he uses his cutter to get Paul Goldschmidt swinging at a pitch that dots the outside corner.
Hyun Jin Ryu’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/ExemplaryImpressionableLeech
Hyun Jin Ryu’s first season north of the border (at least in name) was certainly a great one. Ryu followed off his fantastic 2019 with Dodgers with an even more elite season with the Blue Jays. Last night, he tossed seven shutout innings and struck out four. Here he sends Clint Frazier back to the dugout with a massive hammer that he brings down with force on the Yankees outfielder.
David Peterson‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/fastsereneeyas
Finally this morning, we take a look back to the Mets, who closed with Díaz, but started rookie David Peterson. Peterson’s had a solid year, and although he likely won’t be in the NL Rookie of the Year conversation, he certainly made his mark with a more than respectable 3.44 ERA. He struck out four over seven innings in his final start of the season, and here is his finest pitch of the night, a wicked slider that runs in on Trea Turner who swings and misses for strike three.