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 Nastiest Pitches of the Season GIF Tournament. 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.
Joe Smith’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/talkativegregariousbeardeddragon
He only managed to throw 25 innings of (admittedly great) work in the regular season, but Joe Smith has been great for the Astros in the postseason. He posted a 2.45 ERA in the ALCS against the Yankees, and has yet to allow a run in his pair of outings against the Nationals. With stuff like his, amplified by his unorthodox sidearm delivery, Smith should be able to make more appearances in the nasty pitch breakdowns before this series is over.
Anibal Sanchez’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/lawfulspiritedharvestmouse
Anibal Sanchez’s task of putting the Nationals up 3-0 could have gone much better, as the Astros knocked him around to the tune of 10 hits and four earned runs across 5.1 innings. Still, Sanchez has been spectacular in the postseason, and I’m more than confident that given another chance against Houston, Anibal won’t let this happen again.
Will Harris‘ Cutter
https://gfycat.com/ornerymajorharborseal
Like the aforementioned Smith, Will Harris has been a lockdown reliever this postseason. He has yet to allow a run against the Nationals, and he likewise didn’t let up any against the Yankees. Harris was arguably the best reliever in the American League in 2019, with a 1.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across his 68 appearances.
Zack Greinke’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/ficklerequiredalbertosaurus
Though Zack Greinke wasn’t particularly great in his 4.1 innings (10 baserunners allowed), he somehow let just one run cross the plate, and it proved to be the only run the Nats scored all night. Though Greinke has had one of the best careers of any current player in baseball, he does still lack a World Series ring. Though I can’t say I hope the Astros win, Greinke getting the championship he deserves would be some consolation.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the Nastiest Pitches of the Season GIF Tournament.
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