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 First 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.
Justin Verlander’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/favoritemediumchameleon
Justin Verlander has aged like a fine wine. Verlander has really taken to the Astros’s analytical approach and continues to pitch at an ace level into his mid-30s. Verlander can finish hitters in many different ways and used a slider with great downward break to retire Shed Long.
Chris Devenski’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/waterymarvelousjunebug
Chris Devenski used to fill the Ryan Pressly role, but a demotion in the bullpen pecking order doesn’t mean Devenski can’t still pitch at an elite level at times. This changeup to Mallex Smith fades away from the zone beautifully.
Trevor Bauer’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/severalthoughtfulgilamonster
Trevor Bauer is in the midst of a slump, but he still finds a way to throw nasty pitches every time out. This slider breaking out of the zone to Jonathan Scoop is one of three Schoop swung through in the at bat.
Jose Berrios’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/slushyweirdharvestmen
Jose Berrios is so tantalizing because he has three plus pitches, but anecdotally, he doesn’t seem to ever have all three working at the same time. Berrios is so good he only really needs one or two to carve up hitters. Berrios had his changeup working last night and struck out Jake Bauers three times using the changeup in each at bat.
Peter Lambert’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/unluckyskinnyastarte
Peter Lambert made his big league debut last night and showed great command of his fastball and a quality curveball. This curve to David Bote was ridiculous even with a slight foul tip.
Chris Archer’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/creamyunfoldedkittiwake
Chris Archer is a great pitcher, but when his name comes up I can’t help but think of the haul the Rays got back in last year’s trade with the Pirates. The uneven trade doesn’t change how nasty Archer’s slider is. This one ends up right under Ozzie Albies‘ hands at over 90 mph.
Freddy Peralta’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/tastyflamboyantasiaticmouflon
Freddy Peralta is a big boy doing big things and making the ball move a ton in the process. Peralta had a great fastball last night which he used to get most of his strikeouts but also mixed in a sharp curve like this one to Garrett Cooper.
Carl Edwards’ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/madtastyandeancat
At first glance, this curveball from Carl Edwards is good but not particularly special. The slow-motion shot shows how Nolan Arenado thought this pitch was coming right at his head before landing close to the middle of the plate. Not a great spot for the pitch, but when the pitch is this nasty, pitchers such as Edwards can get away with sloppy location.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the First Quarter Contest.
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