Every morning we review the five best pitches from the previous day’s playoff games in glorious HD GIFs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pitch and check back when we review the best pitches for the divisional series next 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.
Jake Arrieta’s Slider #1 – It was an incredible night for Jake Arrieta, tossing a shutout with 11 Ks and zero walks as the Cubs advanced to the NLDS to face the Cardinals, which means we have a few GIFs to share of the ace in Chicago. First up is this hard 90 MPH Slider to Neil Walker that completely falls off the table.
Jake Arrieta’s Curveball – What makes this pitch so strong is that it acts like a Changeup for his Slider, coming in 8 MPH slower than his hard Slider, but with increased drop and it ends near Pedro Alvarez’s ankles.
Jake Arrieta’s Slider #2 – It wasn’t a great day for Alvarez – or for any of the Pirates for that matter – and he was fooled in his first at-bat by this Slider that breaks under his hands in the blindspot for the swinging strikeout.
Mark Melancon’s Curveball – It wasn’t a high leverage situation for Melancon, but he came out in the top of the ninth and did his job sending the Cubs down quickly. His Curve was looking pretty, especially this one to to get ahead in the count.
Gerrit Cole’s Fastball – Don’t let the score make you forget that Cole throws some serious gas with great command. Here he painted the outside corner with 98 MPH heat to end the inning.
Joakim Soria’s Curveball – Soria’s hook is one of best assets, and he got Austin Jackson to go fishing at his bender to end the eighth inning.
GIF Of The Game
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Divisional Series contest.
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