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.
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/SmallLikableGalapagosalbatross
Luis Castillo is back at it again with his absolutely filthy changeup. His victim this time around was his opposing number on the mound, Wade Miley. As an AL pitcher in Miley isn’t used to hitting, but I don’t think any player in the majors would be able to lay off this disgusting change that gets some wild movement.
Jose Berrios’ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/OldfashionedFluidGallinule
Speaking of nasty changeups, let’s move on to Jose Berrios. It was a losing effort for the Minnesota ace, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Berrios was dominant, striking out 10 batters over 8 innings. While his fastball was responsible for most of his Ks, it’s impossible to ignore this lethal changeup that sent down Sandy León swinging. (Shoutout to @Jesse_Gilmore for the tip!)
Mike Clevinger’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/PoshJointEelelephant
After spending the past two months on the IL, Mike Clevinger finally returned to the mound last night, and it was a bit…underwhelming. Although Clevinger clearly had some issues making outs, he was still able to punch out 7 batters in under 5 innings, the nastiest of them being this curveball that drops out of the strike zone on Asdrubal Cabrera.
Tyler Beede’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/ImpressiveDimpledButterfly
Tyler Beede gave the Dodgers everything he had last night, striking out 7 over the course of 6 innings. While this pitch may have just missed the zone by a half inch, I give a ton of credit to Beede for striking out the man who has been off to one of the hottest starts in baseball this year on a pretty backdoor curveball. (Shoutout to PitcherList support and Discord member Ben Murillo for the tip!)
Masahiro Tanaka’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/AppropriateImpassionedDwarfrabbit
Let’s give it up to Masahiro Tanaka who threw nine magnificent innings last night, against a fearsome Rays lineup. Tanaka had everything working for him, so he gets two entries today. First up is this gorgeous back foot slider that made Joey Wendle look absolutely silly at the plate.
Masahiro Tanaka’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/HomelyEquatorialAmericanalligator
Let’s move on to Tanaka’s second entry for today. It’s gonna have to be his splitter, seen here fooling Avisail Garcia. The pitch got some crazy movement and was utilized on five of his 10 strikeouts last night. Tanaka was fantastic all around, as he allowed only three baserunners in his fourth career complete game shutout.
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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