Every week we review the nastiest pitches from the previous week in glorious HD GIFs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pitch and 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 @ThePitcherList and we’ll GIF it up + give you a shoutout here in the article.
Joe Biagini’s Curveballs – Biagini has been suprisingly effective in a starter’s role this year with a 3.18 xFIP. These slow from nose to toes Curveballs left Shin-Soo Choo and Elvis Andrus bewildered.
Luis Severino’s Slider – Severino is pitching like an ace right now, and making his case for #1 starter in NY in 2018. Severino’s Slider looks like a Fastball over the plate before falling off the plate sharply at 88 MPH to strike out the struggling Manny Machado. (Thanks to Redditor juwanhoward4 for the tip!)
Jake Arrieta’s Fastballs – There were plenty of pitches to choose from during the dazzling Arrieta outing, and we elected to spotlight to absurd amount of movement he’s getting on his Sinkers. The second pitch in particular to Yangervis Solarte made us shocked to see 94mph on the gun after thinking it looked just like a Changeup. Filthy.
Tanner Roark’s Curveball – There were more…exciting events that stole the show for this game, but let’s not forget this excellent pitch from Roark that hit struck out Denard Span despite hitting him in the foot. Yes, it’s the literal definition of a back-foot breaking ball.
Corey Kluber’s Slider – Kluber has had trouble in April previously, and 2017 was no exception. Ineffectiveness and then a DL trip seem par for the course for Kluber, but he was back to the top of his game last night. This Slider to Mark Canha looks like a Fastball heading toward the outside corner before falling off way into the opposite batter’s box. Sick pitch. (Thanks to @strombergbt and Redditor No32 for the tip!)
Brad Peacock’s Curveball – For the second start in a row, Peacock fanned eight batters and is doing so on the back of a vicious Curveball that induces plenty of horrible swings. Just look at this flail from Byron Buxton on a pitch that skips in the dirt after looking like a pitch right down Broadway.
Aaron Nola’s Fastball – It’s been a rough season for Nola thus far, though he still exhibits excellent stuff that wows us each time he hits the hill. For example, despite allowing 4 ER to the Marlins Wednesday afternoon, his final pitch of a rocky first inning was stunning as it painted the swerved from Derek Dietrich’s hip to gracefully catch the inside corner.
Yu Darvish’s Slider – Darvish is a contender for nastiest stuff in the game, and while his Curveball is impressive his slider might be the best strikeout pitch in his arsenal. This Slider is a little hard to see the finish on, but the sharpness of the break is still apparent and leaves Ezequiel Carrera helpless. (Thanks to Redditor ThrownAwayUsername for the tip!)
GIF Of The Week
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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