Keep a good thought for any hitters coming to the plate to face Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jose Alvarado. They need all the help that they can get.
Facing Colorado Rockies star Charlie Blackmon on Tuesday, Alvarado unleashed one of the nastiest pitches we’ve ever seen.
Alvarado had a great year in 2018. He posted a 2.39 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP while striking out 80 hitters in 64 innings. If he’s bringing this pitch consistently in 2019, those numbers are only going to get better.
That’s essentially a 99 mph screwball. A right-handed hitter probably wouldn’t be able to hit it, either. But he might have enough time to read it and not swing. But for a lefty — especially in a two-strike scenario — it’s not happening.