Every morning we review the nastiest pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious HD GIFs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pitch and check back this weekend to see if it will be in contention for the GIF of the Second Half Contest. Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @ThePitcherList and we’ll GIF it up + give you a shoutout here in the article.
Congrats to Marcus Stroman’s Slider for winning Nastiest Pitching GIF of the Week! Stroman has really developed his Slider, and it’s much improved.
Hector Neris’ Splitter – Neris got 2 saves this weekend using his high velocity Fastball, and a Splitter with ridiculous bite. This pitch to Carlos Moncrief has both horizontal and vertical movement that takes it away from Moncrief’s bat.
Danny Salazar’s Curveball – Salazar is one of the most inconsistent pitchers in MLB, but when he’s on, as he has been since his return from the minors, he’s close to unhittable. Melky Cabrera is left flummoxed by this Curveball with video game like break.
David Robertson’s Curveball – Robertson has been more effective than his trade mate, Tommy Kahnle, since his return to NY, and is now part of a closer by committee with the struggles of Aroldis Chapman. Robertson’s Curveball has been sharp, as Xander Bogaerts can attest.
Justin Verlander’s Slider – Verlander has been in trade discussions even after the non-waiver deadline, and if the Astros can get a hold of him they would have a true #1 starter for the playoffs. Verlander throws a Slider here at 89 MPH to Chase Utley that ends up behind him. Sick movement on a pitch thrown that hard.
Brad Hand’s Slider – Hand is a lockdown closer on a team that had no need for one. The Pads may regret not trading Hand for a youthful return this past trade deadline. Hand keeps throwing different, but effective Sliders like this good backfoot one to Michael Taylor.
Jose Berrios’ Curveball – Berrios was dealing this weekend shoing improved command and the same ability to miss bats. This Curveball to Paul Goldschmidt is Berrios’ signature put away pitch.
Michael Fulmer’s Fastball – Fulmer throws ridiculously hard, and over his last few starts he seems to have used his two-seamer more to get some movement on his Fastball. This offering to Yasiel Puig starts just off the outside black, and Puig choose not to swing, before the ball breaks into the middle third. Great pitch.
Carl Edward’s Curveball – Edwards is a great reliever in a great bullpen, which is necessary for the Cubs in the the playoffs in this season of super bullpens. This Curveball to Jose Bautista has ridiculous drop to get Edwards out of a jam.
GIF Of The Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Second Half Contest.
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