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.
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/DaringAbleLeopard
It’s no secret that Luis Castillo loves his changeup. The Reds’ ace used the pitch to finish five of his eight strikeouts yesterday. The change has propelled Castillo into the upper echelon of major league pitchers and has helped him produce a 10.77 K/9 this season. Here, the pitch gets Kyle Schwarber whiffing as it starts out inside on the lefty before breaking to the outer edge of the zone.
Jose Leclerc’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/LazyConstantBuffalo
Jose Leclerc has been one of the most disappointing closers this season. After a year in which Leclerc put up a fantastic 1.56 ERA, his stock dropped fast, and he was forced out of the closer role. But today, he made the case for being put back in as he notched his eighth save of the year after this sick back-door slider to Yasmani Grandal.
German Marquez’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/SnoopyVelvetyFlee
If you’re like me and own German Marquez in a quality starts league, you were praying for Bud Black to pull him so he didn’t blow his quality start in the seventh or eighth inning. Luckily (or unfortunately, if you played against him), Marquez didn’t blow it. He struck out nine batters and allowed only three runs as he picked up win No. 11 yesterday.
Justin Verlander’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/ElegantWeightyHarrier
Justin Verlander vs. the Orioles offense is an easy win, right? Apparently not. Verlander gave up four runs over five innings but was able to get 11 strikeouts against the mostly replacement-level O’s lineup. That brings Verlander’s strikeout total on the year to 217 and puts him in sole possession of second place in that category behind teammate Gerrit Cole (226).
Chris Bassitt’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/NegativeUnacceptableHarborseal
The Oakland Athletics combined for a shutout of the Chicago White Sox and were led by Chris Bassitt. Bassitt threw seven scoreless innings and struck out as many hitters while only allowing six baserunners. Bassitt got all of his strikeouts on the heater, including this 94 mph fastball that ran out of the zone to get Matt Skole whiffing.
Jose Berrios’ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/EnchantingHandsomeBats
As the summer winds down, the AL Central race is tightening up. Yesterday, the Indians beat the Twins, which tied the two clubs atop the AL Central leaderboard. Jose Berrios pitched but didn’t have his best outing as he allowed three runs over six innings. Berrios’ strikeout numbers were down yesterday, but he still managed to get four strikeouts including this filthy changeup that got Carlos Santana whiffing.
Ryan Yarbrough’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/AfraidIllfatedBeardedcollie
The Rays are doing all they can to stay competitive in the AL Wild Card race, and yesterday, it was Ryan Yarbrough who almost single-handedly took down the Seattle Mariners. Yarbrough was one out shy of a shutout as the Rays won 1-0. Yarbrough struck out eight hitters, including Kyle Seager, who went down swinging on this filthy curveball.
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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