Every morning we review the five best pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious HD GIFs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pitch and and check back this weekend to see if it will be in contention for the GIF of the Week. 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.
Yordano Ventura’s Fastball – It was prime Ventura on the hill against the Twins, and he was mowing batters down early as he pounded the zone. He was simply unhittable at times, like this 99 MPH Fastball to Aaron Hicks that somehow features excellent ride off the very corner of the plate. Unreal. (Thanks to @SethFriederman for the tip!)
Ichiro Suzuki’s Slider – It’s always fun to see position players get their shot at pitching, and baseball legend Ichiro finally got his chance on the hill in Sunday’s conclusion to the season. While hitting the upper 80s with his Fastball, Ichiro spun this nice Slider to Freddy Glavis who’s weak swing should tell you how surprised he was to see it. (Thanks to Reddit users a_license_to_chill and UnexpectedCroissant for the tip!)
Noah Syndergaard’s Fastball – There is no way you can watch the slow motion of this GIF and not emit some sort of approving noise. I elected to go with Keith’s “mmmmmm” as this 98 MPH heater nips the outside corner perfectly. (Thanks to Reddit user Seanzilla18 for the tip!)
Max Scherzer’s Changeup – Mad Max earned himself his second no-hitter of the season without issuing a walk on Saturday against the Mets, and he did so mostly with elevated Fastballs to blow past the Mets bats. Imagine Michael Conforto’s surprise when this Changeup came in well located down in the zone.
Corey Kluber’s Fastball – The best part about the Indians’ park is the behind-the-catcher camera that allows us to get a new perspective on pitches. Here we see a well spotted comeback Fastball from Kluber, and how much true break it has darting to the plate for strike three.
Justin Verlander’s Curveball – Verlander has hinted at his old self down the stretch for the Tigers, and struck out nine batters in just six innings on Saturday. This Curveball was the best of the day as it disappeared down-and-in to Melky Cabrera to end the third.
Jake Arrieta’s Fastball – At first glance this pitch might not look so incredible. Then you realize that Logan Schafer is expecting this Fastball to be his Cutter that rides inside and off the plate. Imagine his surprise as Arrieta instead spots this pitch right on the inside corner at 95 MPH, staying on the plate for a well deserved strikeout. This pitch is a prime exhibition of how Arrieta confounds hitters every time out.
Marco Estrada’s Changeup – Estrada has been a welcome surprise for the Blue Jays, and his effectiveness hinges on this Changeup. It looks just like his 90 MPH Fastball all the way to the glove…except coming in at 12 MPH slower. Check out how far in front James Loney is as he whiffs through strike three.
Ubaldo Jimenez’s Splitter – Ubaldo isn’t the most consistent pitcher out there, but his Splitter can do some pretty things. Watch it completely fall off the table to Brendan Ryan in slow-motion and you’ll understand.
Adam Wainwright’s Curveball – It’s great to see such a dominant pitcher return to the mound, even if he has been delegated to the bullpen. Waino’s signature Curveball is back and it made Cameron Maybin’s day a little worse. (Thanks to Reddit user BromCJ for the tip!)
GIF Of The Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in this weekend’s GIF of the Week contest.
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