Noah Syndergaard’s Sinker + The Nastiest GIFs from Friday’s Games

Every morning we review the nastiest pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious HD 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 Half Contest. Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @PitcherList and we’ll GIF it up + give you a shoutout here in the article.

[gfycat data_id=”UnfinishedOpulentEidolonhelvum”]

Noah Syndergaard’s Sinker – Sure, this Thor sinker came against opposing pitcher Sean Newcomb, but that doesn’t make the movement or 97 mph velocity any less impressive. And it’s not like anyone other than the Braves starter would’ve looked less resigned while flailing away and trudging back to the dugout.

[gfycat data_id=”ConfusedExcellentHorsefly”]

Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball – We do get to have nice things, after all. And this is one of them. It’s breathtaking every time the Dodgers lefty coils up and releases this parabola into the atmosphere. This time, Washington’s Bryce Harper could do nothing but wave.

[gfycat data_id=”ScornfulUnselfishFossa”]

Max Scherzer’s Changeup – We only go with a maximum of one offering per day for each pitcher, otherwise Scherzer might’ve dominated this list like he did the Dodgers hitters over 106 pitches for nine K’s. That’s even more impressive when you consider the other names on this list. Here, Max Muncy had no shot on a second-inning changeup.

[gfycat data_id=”ThreadbareFortunateAcornbarnacle”]

Trevor Bauer’s Sinker – Bauer induced 14 total whiffs from the Orioles on a mix of his four-seamer, changeup, slider and knuckle curve, yet it was this winding sinker that caught our eye Friday night as it cut down Anthony Santander looking.

[gfycat data_id=”RemarkableScientificGannet”]

Dylan Bundy’s Changeup – The Orioles staff ace was catching bodies with his slider all night to the tune of 13 whiffs on the pitch. But this nosediving changeup to Cleveland’s Jason Kipnis was too good to leave out. You’ll notice the second baseman nodded his approval toward the mound after catching air.

[gfycat data_id=”JubilantThirstyCrustacean”]

Bud Norris‘ Slider – Perhaps the Cardinals closer took Yadier Molina a bit too literally when the catcher called for a back-foot slider. No matter. Not only did this hit Cincinnati’s Scooter Gennett in…the…back…foot, but it also induced a swinging strike. Norris picked up his fifth save soon after.

[gfycat data_id=”CourteousFlippantBrahmanbull”]

Sean Newcomb’s Slider – Maybe Syndergaard’s barbaric two-seamer above was in response to the embarrassment he had to endure while watching this wipeout slider zoom across the zone for strike three an inning earlier. Problem was, Newcomb didn’t trust the offering enough to throw it to the rest of the Mets lineup, as he only tossed two all night.

[gfycat data_id=”TartFlawlessAfricanbushviper”]

Hector Neris’ Splitter – Never mind that Pittsburgh’s Colin Moran looks like Captain Flint from Black Sails and plays for the Pirates. I know it’s enchanting. Just focus on the fact that Neris yo-yo’d him around with consecutive splitters to help lock down his third save. The above filth was the first of the two. I said focus.

[gfycat data_id=”ComfortableAnimatedIrishsetter”]

Felix Hernandez’s Curveball – Joey Gallo’s whiffs are entertaining enough on their own, but when you mix in Hernandez’s crafty hook, you get one of the evening’s best GIFs.

GIF Of The Night

Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the First Half Contest.

[polldaddy poll=9986311]