Rays Tank: The worst pitch in baseball

Yesterday, one bad inning (and a lack of run support) cost Jeremy Hellickson the game, and dropped the Rays back below .500. They have the day off today, after which they will host the Detroit Tigers in a series with major playoff implications (for the Tigers). Drew Smyly will not pitch, but circle Thursday on your calendars. In a 1:10 game, it'll be David Price vs. Alex Cobb.

Speaking of Smyly, Jeff Zimmerman searched for the least effective pitch in baseball, and he found it to be Drew Smyly's changeup. Article includes lots of gifs of it getting hit hard, and quotes from Smyly on it's development. One thing that I'd like to add, though, is that I'm not too sure it's something worth working on too much, with its current movement. Right now, because of the strangeness of Smyly's pitches, his changeup behaves remarkably similar to his cutter, only with far worse command.

Other Links:

Michael Cuddyer hit for the cycle for the second time in his career.

Tired of all the Derek Jeter memorializing? Let that steady piano get you in the mood for some Todd Helton memorializing.

From Laurila, Dave Trembly talks about suspending Daniel Cabrera while a coach with the Orioles in order to avert a retaliation beaning.

Bryan Cole creates an international baseball ranking system.