The Tampa Bay Rays are off to one of the best starts in MLB history with 11 straight wins to open the season. And when you see what pitcher Shane McClanahan is throwing out there, it’s easy to see why.
The Rays took care of the Boston Red Sox, 7-2, on Tuesday to get within two games of the MLB record for wins to start the season (13 by the 1982 Braves and 1987 Brewers). McClanahan was dominant on the night, allowing one run in five innings on two hits and nine strikeouts. Of those nine strikeouts, none was more impressive than the pitch used to retire Rob Refsnyder in the fourth inning.
Shane McClanahan, Disgusting 88mph Changeup. 🤮
19" of run pic.twitter.com/ofbcorZBaQ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 11, 2023
The 88 mph changeup appeared to be cutting towards the plate before breaking late to the outside with 19 inches of run. For that pitch to come from a left-hander, it really wasn’t fair. By the time Refsnyder realized what that pitch was doing, he had already committed to the swing and had no chance of making contact.
It seriously doesn’t get much nastier than that pitch.
MLB fans were justifiably impressed. He made Refsnyder look silly out there.
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This was how Twitter reacted
Best pitcher in the league 👀 https://t.co/rG7LDJxEPw
— Alton V (@bbillsfan808) April 12, 2023
Wow!! The movement on this is unreal! Catcher is lucky he got it!! https://t.co/k6wDkHvI8h
— Jeremy Whitman ⚾️ (@jwhitman36) April 12, 2023
I’m sorry, what? https://t.co/0in6uatiXd
— LUnpretty11🔥⬆️ (@npretty89) April 12, 2023
Just close your eyes and hope for the best here https://t.co/20D6bka2H1
— SonnyKoufax (@itskoconn) April 12, 2023
This should not be legal https://t.co/OvtaEzWTdF
— Justin Grohall (@JustinGrohall) April 12, 2023
Nah man. What do you do with this? https://t.co/Bx1OZufmWy
— Flossy Ogawa ܡܐܛܐܥ (@emjaydoesPR) April 12, 2023
Changeup which moves like Sweeper! https://t.co/cmnCoxVgZe
— MLBの読み物 (@mlbyomimono) April 12, 2023
I’ve said this other times and will inevitably say it again but that is the best pitch I’ve ever seen https://t.co/AVQBSfQ2Gj
— Matt Rowe (@mattatlfan) April 12, 2023
I’m old enough to remember when 88 mph was a serviceable fastball https://t.co/Hb8kTxdupI
— Ravi Lulla (@ralulla) April 12, 2023
It remains a miracle that MLB hitters are even capable of making contact with pitches like that being thrown.
