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.
Yu Darvish’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/hairyeachechidna
It was a huge night for Yu Darvish, who allowed only one run en route to a victory over the Mets. Darvish struck out seven batters in eight innings, and his only mistake was allowing a Pete Alonso solo shot in the fourth. Darvish put his splitter to good use last night, and he got a fantastic whiff out of it on this pitch that leaves Joe Panik looking foolish.
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/YellowishFlakyBluet
How much longer can we talk about Luis Castillo’s changeup? The pitch is one of the toughest to hit in all of baseball, and if you don’t believe me, just look at the numbers. It has a 27% swinging-strike rate and has allowed an 18 wRC+ this season, so it’s no surprise that Curtis Granderson straight up whiffs when attempting to hit this devastating offspeed offering.
Chaz Roe’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/WellmadeAccomplishedAfricanparadiseflycatcher
Ugh, this was an ugly one from Chaz Roe, folks. Roe got absolutely shelled, allowing five runs (three earned) in his one inning of relief. Suffice to say, Roe’s slider was not working in this one. But it seems like he was able to muster up at least one good offering tonight, and it came on this pitch. The slider starts out in the opposite box before it darts across the paint for a satisfying backward K that leaves Yordan Alvarez stunned.
Lucas Giolito’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/GeneralBlandEmperorpenguin
Last night, Lucas Giolito racked up a lot of strikeouts. The White Sox ace pitched six quality innings and struck out nine, albeit in a losing effort. Even though it wasn’t a great outcome, Giolito is still an ace, primarily because of his fastball-changeup combo that has proven so deadly this year. Here, the latter is on display, inducing a futile swing and miss from Jake Cave.
Walker Buehler’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/SlimEllipticalGallinule
Speaking of aces, Walker Buehler put up some seriously impressive numbers last night. He pitched six scoreless frames and struck out 11 Padres. Buehler lowered his ERA to 3.03 and recorded win No. 11. But the moment Buehler will remember most from tonight was this beautiful pitch that just drops out on Josh Naylor as he swings right through it.
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.
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