Felipe Vazquez’s Slider and the Nastiest Pitches from 8/29

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 GIF of the Fourth Quarter Contest. 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.

 

Felipe Vazquez’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/shallowsmartchamois

 

Another day, another save for the Pirates’ star closer Felipe Vazquez, as he nailed down his 24th save and lowered his season ERA to a spectacular 1.68. His 13.25 K/9 is a career best, and his ERA is a very close career second to his 1.67 mark from 2017. If it weren’t for the presence of Kirby Yates and the completely bonkers season he’s having on the West Coast, Vazquez would be a shoo-in for the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award.

 

Tyler Chatwood’s Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/unfitwelloffarchaeocete

 

Following one of the most abysmal seasons from a pitcher in recent memory last year, Tyler Chatwood has bounced back somewhat to be a usable member of the Cubs bullpen in 2019. His 4.5 BB/9 is still absolutely nothing to write home (or anywhere else) about, but it’s a vast improvement from the 8.2 walks he allowed per nine innings in 2018. We may never see the potential he once flashed in Colorado.

 

Mike Clevinger’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/enragedsoggyammonite

 

Injuries have shortened Mike Clevinger’s 2019 season, but he’s put up about as good a season as one could ask for in the 16 starts he’s managed to make. He owns a 2.72 ERA and 12.9 K/9 with a sterling 10-2 record. He’s been especially great over his past three starts, with a 0.48 ERA and 13.5 K/9 in 18.2 innings.

 

Zack Greinke’s Changeup

 

https://gfycat.com/blankmeekcygnet

 

Thursday marked the first real bad start Zack Greinke has had since being traded to the Astros, as the Rays rung him up for five earned runs over 5.2 innings. A 3.45 ERA as an Astro is still nothing to sneeze at, and his 2.90 season mark is remarkably impressive for someone turning 36 in less than two months.

 

Liam Hendriks‘ Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/pessimisticdistantjunco

 

Given the surprise meltdown that Blake Treinen has undergone this year, it’s amazing that the A’s bullpen has still been a top-10 bullpen in baseball, and Liam Hendriks is the biggest reason why. The Perth, Australia, native with a career 4.23 ERA has exploded for a 1.43 ERA and 3.3 WAR out of the bullpen this season and will likely give the A’s their second Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award winner in as many seasons.

 

GIF of the Night

 

Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Fourth Quarter Contest.

 

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