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 First 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.
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Ryan Pressly’s Curveball – If you watch Pressly’s motion, it almost looks like he’s winding back to launch a slingshot. Only this pitch changes direction halfway through and dive bombs, leaving Leonys Martin hitting nothing but air.
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Zach Britton’s Slider – Britton certainly didn’t have the strongest season debut, walking three in his first inning of work in 2018. He did manage to escape unscathed, with his nasty slider to fan Rafael Devers a big reason why.
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Aaron Nola’s Curveball – It was a happy Nola day indeed for those who partake, as the young right-hander fanned 10 with no walks against the Rockies. Here he used his beautiful curveball to set down Trevor Story in the second.
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Lance McCullers’ Fastball – It sure looks like no one was quite sure where that 96 mile per hour cheese was going, but it managed to clip the corner low and in, locking up Mark Canha. McCullers struck out five in seven strong innings of work.
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Dellin Betances‘ Curveball – Betances gets wicked drop on this curveball that checks in at a cool 89 miles per hour. No wonder this pitch has a career 16% swinging strike rate. Nasty.
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Jordan Hicks‘ Slider – When a hitter is expecting 101 mile per hour heat, even something 87 miles per hour can get them way out in front. Poor Jose Pirela looked like he was chasing an eephus pitch and not some 87 mile per hour slider just off the outside black. Woof.
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Jon Gray’s Curveball – Gray gave up a three run home run in the first inning, but settled in after that and managed to strike out ten across six innings. He used his wicked curveball here to fan Nick Williams on the outside black.
GIF Of The Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the First Half Contest.
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