Every morning we review the nastiest pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious HD 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 Second Half Contest. Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @PitcherList and we’ll GIF it up + give you a shoutout here in the article.
[gfycat data_id=”ShallowHilariousIntermediateegret”]
Robert Stock’s Fastball – Arizona’s A.J. Pollock didn’t offer at this 99 mph heat off the outside corner from the Padres reliever—not that you can blame him, as it looked to be outside until it took a turn to catch the black for strike one. Stock kept the D-backs scoreless over two innings of relief.
[gfycat data_id=”EthicalSmoggyBergerpicard”]
Dylan Bundy’s Slider – There was something of a mini-theme happening in the O’s-Rays game, as Tampa’s Carlos Gomez just couldn’t seem to keep his helmet on—or touch Bundy’s slider (yep, that’s a different pitch). The Baltimore starter also had Mallex Smith admiring his hook, here. Bundy picked up seven K’s on 92 pitches.
[gfycat data_id=”SilverInsistentGarpike”]
Corey Kluber’s Changeup – Jim Adduci added to Kluber’s swing-and-miss tally of 17 on this changeup, eventually becoming one of his five strikeout victims later in the at-bat. Despite the modest strikeout total, the Klubot held the Tigers to one run in 7.1 innings.
[gfycat data_id=”NiceRareHornbill”]
Jose Urena’s Two-Seamer – Daniel Murphy knew he was caught looking on this 97 mph fastball, as he did an about-face after Urena’s trademark movement reared its head for the fourth-inning K.
[gfycat data_id=”OilyHarmlessAmurstarfish”]
Luis Castillo’s Two-Seamer – Castillo had Carlos Santana dodging apparitions on his way to nine strikeouts and seven innings of shutout ball. This is the Castillo we want. This is the Castillo we need.
[gfycat data_id=”WelcomeElasticHarborporpoise”]
Lance McCullers’ Curveball – The Astros starter didn’t look to have quite the movement we’ve come to expect on his two-seamer, but no worry—he was still chucking his signature knuckle curve to great effect. He netted 14 of his 20 induced swings-and-misses on his hook, including this one from Texas’ Jurickson Profar.
[gfycat data_id=”MemorableDeafeningDartfrog”]
Ross Stripling’s Curveball – Stripling got the drop on Atlanta’s Dansby Swanson for one of his 13 induced whiffs on 88 pitches. He didn’t have much overall luck on the day, though, as he lasted just four innings and had to go up against Sean Newcomb’s no-hit bid.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Second Half Contest.
[polldaddy poll=10067961]