Max Scherzer’s Slider and the Nastiest Pitches from Opening Day

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.

 

Max Scherzer’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/sillykeengilamonster

 

Max Scherzer vs. Jacob deGrom was the pinnacle of an Opening Day full of great ace duels. Scherzer struck out 12 but still took the tough-luck loss. Peter Alonso’s first plate appearance in the majors ended with a swinging strike on a slider that finished up in the opposite batter’s box.

 

Jacob deGrom’s Changeup

 

https://gfycat.com/sereneanguishedhammerheadshark

 

deGrom showed his full repertoire of pitches to extend his streak of starts with three or fewer earned runs to 30. This changeup fades away effectively to get the strikeout against the angry Juan Soto.

 

Jameson Taillon’s Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/vigorousgrandioseafricanparadiseflycatcher

 

Jameson Taillon was a late bloomer, but his improved command and expanded repertoire have elevated him to Tier 3 of The List. Jose Iglesias starts doing the limbo on this nasty breaker that ends up on the outer third of the plate.

 

Jose Berrios’ Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/insidiousimportantaustraliancurlew

 

Jose Berrios outmatched Corey Kluber, showing improved command of his signature upside down parabola curveball. He made hitters such as Tyler Naquin look foolish into the eighth inning of a combined Twins shutout.

 

Justin Verlander’s Fastball

 

https://gfycat.com/giganticincompatibleacornbarnacle

 

Justin Verlander sat about 92 to 94 mph most of his start, but reached back for a little extra to strike out Willy Adames in his last inning of action. The pitch misses its spot by a good deal, but the slow motion shot shows the spin and rise that takes the ball over the top of Adames’ bat. Great stuff is better than great command.

 

Aaron Nola’s Fastball

 

https://gfycat.com/teemingquarrelsomecricket

 

Aaron Nola was sharp on a night that the Phillies bats carried the team to victory. He showed his patented two-seam fastball on the glove side black for a called strike that sent Nick Markakis back to the dugout.

 

Adam Ottavino’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/imperfectmeekblackpanther

 

Adam Ottavino had an up and down spring training but was firing on all cylinders to start the real games. This slider to Rio Ruiz on the outside edge of the strike zone put out a fire to end the sixth inning for the Yanks.

 

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.

[polldaddy poll=10279697]