Every morning, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the meanest pitches from the previous day’s games. If you see something you think should be included here, be sure to tweet it. @PitcherList to let us know. Or, if you’re a PL+ member and part of our Discord, shout it out in the Nastiest Pitches channel.
Splinters by Bowden Francis
A phenomenal 12-strikeout game from Blue Jays youngster Francis of Bowden was the highlight of Saturday’s baseball action. Getting that nasty 83 mph splitter Logan O’Hoppe was typical of his dominance throughout the trip.
Shota Imanaga’s Changeup
It’s good to have Japanese sensations Shota Imanaga back with the Cubs. His left-handed magic was missed. He recorded just three strikeouts in his excellent 10th win of the season, but that signature changeup was a beauty to remember. Jonah Bride.
Tarik Skubal’s four-seam fastball
A dominant Tarik Skubal kept tearing through the helpless White Sox lineup, recording eight strikeouts en route to his 15th win of the season. This 97-mile run by the left-hander was pure class.
The Libero by Pablo López
Four of Pablo LopezThe nine strikeouts came about through the sweeper, and that nasty 86-mile attempt to get a strikeout, Masyn Winn at a crucial point in the fifth inning was a key moment in the contest. First-class performance from the Twins ace.
Jhoan Duran’s Curveball
And completing the great work Lopez had done for the Twins was closer John Duranwho used his best “I’m going to make this curveball disappear” trick to Lars Nootbaar.
Taj Bradley’s four-seam fastball
This is what a perfectly placed 100 mph heater looks like. Bow Taj Bradley.
Michael King’s Sinker
Three times in three innings Michael King got out of trouble with his two-seam fastball – the best was in the top third thanks to that phenomenal 94 mph sinker to dispose of the slugger Pete Alonso. This was one of seven Ks for King in this.
Yennier Cano’s Sinker
Alex Bregman is a great hitter. But sometimes you just have to pick up your bat and walk away. An incredible 98 mph sinker from Yennier Cano for probably the meanest pitch of the day, right?
