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 Third 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.
Trevor Bauer’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/feistyforthrightdoctorfish
Trevor Bauer was scuffling for quite a while this season but has turned things around in his past few starts, striking out 30 over just under 20 innings. Bauer may not be having the ridiculous season we thought he might after last year, but you can’t complain about a 3.49 ERA and 10.6 K/9.
Caleb Smith’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/periodicannualinvisiblerail
Caleb Smith has been a huge factor in the Marlins’ surprising watchability this season, owning an impressive 3.30 ERA and an 11 K/9, with a rock solid 3.67 K/BB ratio. While some would expect the Marlins to trade away Smith at his peak, it doesn’t seem as though that will be the case at the deadline. The Marlins better hope he continues to be an ace, or holding onto him this season is going to look veeeery foolish.
Stephen Strasburg’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/temptingwildayeaye
Tuesday’s slate of nasty pitches has been one of the strongest I’ve ever seen, and Stephen Strasburg carries his weight here. With his health finally cooperating, Strasburg has been great for the Nats. A 3.37 ERA and 10.7 K/9 prove that Strasburg continues to be one of the best in baseball when he’s on the field, even entering his 30s.
Chris Stratton’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/scientificfavoritegnat
Chris Stratton has been impressively effective since coming over to the Pirates, owning a 3.51 ERA over 12 games in black and yellow. Stratton had a couple of respectable seasons in San Francisco, but his past two seasons have been pretty disastrous. I don’t expect Stratton’s hot new start to continue, but until he falls off again, I’ll enjoy watching the filth he consistently throws.
Dallas Keuchel’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/mediumcooperativearrowcrab
Dallas Keuchel had his best start of the season since finally signing after the draft, striking out 12 Royals over six innings of work on Tuesday. The former Cy Young winner had a pair of unimpressive years in his final three seasons in Houston after winning his Cy Young, but it appears he might be back now with the Braves. He could be a huge boon to the young team as it makes another playoff run, especially given his impressive postseason resume.
Chris Sale’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/perkyedibledairycow
After mowing down 12 Blue Jays his last time out, Chris Sale must have figured he needed to keep the streak of divisional dominance going, striking out 10 Rays on Tuesday. While his ERA leaves a lot to be desired, the Red Sox ace is posting the second highest K/9 of his entire career (13.2). While the results haven’t always been there this season, disgusting pitches are something Sale won’t be giving up any time soon.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Third Quarter Contest.
[polldaddy poll=10370567]
At a certain point we need to start retiring pitches… Sale’s slider can not be beat!