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 First 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.
Jose Berrios’ Curveball – Berrios was looking all kinds of filthy against the Orioles on Wednesday, with his crazy good breaking ball stealing the spotlight. There were plenty to choose from, but this strikeout pitch to Caleb Joseph looks just like a wiffleball.
Kyle Hendricks‘ Changeup – It’s look a little bit like last season from Hendricks, who is sporting a sub 2.00 ERA across his last six outings. His Changeup is working beautifully again, with this pitch to Eduardo Nunez as a prime example.
Mike Leake’s Slider – Leake’s 2017 has been as magical as they come as the Cardinal starter is boasting a 1.97 ERA for the year. It might not sustainable and the strikeouts won’t be aplenty, but he has executed some gorgeous pitches to get where he is, like this Slider located in Rich Hill’s blind spot for the whiff.
Tyler Chatwood’s Curveball – It’s the third straight day of featuring a Colorado starter’s Curveball against the Phillies, but how could we not? Each pitch has been a great display of 12-6 action and this deuce from Chatwood is sure to suit your fancy.
Koda Glover’s Slider – Dusty Baker has finally given Glover the official “closer” label and it’s well deserved. Just look at what he can do with a baseball at a blistering 94mph. It’s on the border of Cutter and Slider, but with the amount of movement this pitch got, we’re calling it a slide piece…the fastest we’re seeing in the majors. (Thanks to Redditors gpgpg and Weegian for the tips!)
Dellin Betances‘ Curveball – It feels like cheating featuring a Betances Knuckle-Curveball, but this pitch to Mike Moustakas was deadly as it started over the plate before diving into the third baseman’s ankles. How are you supposed to resist chasing this when you’re expecting 100mph on the black?
Sonny Gray’s Slider – Wednesday afternoon gave us the start we’ve been waiting to see from Sonny for ages as he fanned eleven Marlins batters. His Slider was getting whiffs galore and set the tone during the first at-bat of the game to Dee Gordon with vicious bite.
GIF Of The Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the First Half Contest.
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