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.
Adam Ottavino’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/LikelyMealyJunco
Adam Ottavino couldn’t save the Yankees after they gave up seven runs early in the game. But he was at least able to help stop the bleeding just a bit. Ottavino’s known for his lethal combination of a powerful two-seamer and a ridiculous slider, and here he’s seen using the latter to strike out the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado.
Anthony DeSclafani’s Two-Seamer
https://gfycat.com/SoggySolidCurlew
It was a career day for Anthony DeSclafani yesterday. He threw six magnificent innings, where he allowed only one earned run and struck out a career-high 11 batters. DeSclafani might have not gotten the win in this one, but it was certainly a game he’ll remember. DeSclafani got nine of 25 CSW on his two-seamer, with this disgusting offering as the only swinging strike he got with the pitch.
Blake Snell’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/SilentPerfectIndianabat
Blake Snell used his curveball and four-seamer to make all 10 of his strikeouts yesterday in an outing in which he only gave up three hits against a weak White Sox offense. Snell’s nastiest offering was on his first strikeout of the day to Jose Abreu, which earned the reigning AL Cy Young winner a spot in today’s Nastiest Pitches.
Lance Lynn’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/IllegalBoldAmericanriverotter
Sure, you can focus on the fact that Lance Lynn gave up four earned runs and two long balls in yesterday’s loss to the Astros. But I’d rather focus on the positives during what has been a great year for Lynn. The Rangers ace was getting lots of swings and misses, including this pitch, a cutter that trails out of the zone that Jake Marisnick didn’t stand a shot at hitting.
Walker Buehler’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/ElasticChiefBillygoat
Let’s face it, the Marlins never stood a chance against a pitcher who’s as powerful and skilled as Walker Buehler. Buehler was just too good for a team that is putting out a replacement-level lineup every day. Watch as he paints the corners with ease against Yadiel Rivera, who couldn’t have made contact with this bullet of a pitch if he tried.
Brad Hand’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/BrownMisguidedEuropeanfiresalamander
Brad Hand earned save No. 27 yesterday against the Royals. The Indians closer is one of the best in the business, thanks in part to a slider that sweeps out of the zone on hitters. The pitch is an absolute beauty, and you can see it here getting Lucas Duda looking foolish.
Kyle Hendricks‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/MistyWaryGalapagosalbatross
Kyle Hendricks continues to amaze me. In a league where starters throw their changeups at 88 mph, Hendricks is throwing his fastball at that velocity. But he mixes it in with a disgusting changeup that gets enough whiffs to keep hitters handicapped against the Cubs’ best arm.
Asher Wojciechowski’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/dopeyposhblackrhino
It was a career day for Asher Wojciechowski as he steamrolled the Red Sox for 10strikeouts and zero earned runs across 7.1 frames. His breakers were the best we’ve seen, well-represented by this dirty curveball that forced disciplined Mookie Betts to chase. The prettiest way to end the third.
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.
[polldaddy poll=10368756]