First things first, congratulations Nationals fans on your first World Series championship. Now then, back to your regularly scheduled article.
Every morning, we review the nastiest pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious high-definition 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 Nastiest Pitches of the Season GIF Tournament. Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @PitcherList, and we’ll GIF it up and give you a shoutout here in the article.
Daniel Hudson’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/secondleanblackfly
The headliner for the final Nasty Pitches piece of the season couldn’t have been anything other than this phenomenal slider to bring a chipper to Washington for the first time in franchise history. Daniel Hudson worked a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts to secure the win, redeeming himself after allowing four earned runs over his previous two appearances in the series. Being up by four runs helps too, but hey, credit where it’s due.
Max Scherzer’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/wastefulcraftyfirecrest
Starting the crucial contest for Washington, Max Scherzer delivered, more or less. Though he allowed 11 Astros to reach base over five innings, Scherzer allowed just two runs for the second straight start, giving him a 3.60 ERA and 9.0 K/9 for the series. With the amount of hardware he’s acquired in his phenomenal career, a World Series ring is just the latest gold star on Mad Max’s Hall of Fame resume.
Patrick Corbin’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/incompatibleshamefulcoelacanth
Making his second relief appearance of the Series, Patrick Corbin clutched up in a major way with three scoreless innings of work, striking out three in the process. Like Max, Corbin struck out 10 Astros across 10 innings of work and had an identical 3.60 ERA. What are the odds?
Zack Greinke’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/lazyfreshisabellineshrike
Though I was definitely actively rooting against the Astros in this series, there was a small part of me that wanted to see Zack Greinke get himself his ring. That didn’t happen, but he’ll have another very strong chance to secure one next season with Houston. Greinke pitched well in the series, with a 2.45 ERA in his two starts, including a crucial 6.1-inning, two-earned run outing in Game 7 that the Astros bullpen promptly flubbed away.
Joe Smith’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/dependableverifiableiraniangroundjay
On one hand, Joe Smith let up two runs in the ninth inning of Game 7, which is never ideal. In all fairness though, the Astros were already down by two, and their complete inability to hit with runners on base would have kept them from a comeback anyway. It was a short but solid season for Smith, and he hadn’t allowed a run in the Series until Wednesday.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the Nastiest Pitches of the Season GIF Tournament.
[polldaddy poll=10446651]
It’s been a fun journey this season, and I wish you all the best until I see you again next season.