Sonny Gray’s Slider and the Nastiest Pitches from 8/15

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.

 

Sonny Gray’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/IndelibleDefiniteIvorybilledwoodpecker

 

So the Reds playoff chances look pretty bleak, but in 2020, Sonny Gray can play a pivotal role on a serious team. The Reds pitcher has been having a great year, and he improved upon that last night, putting up 10 strikeouts in five innings. Gray raised his K/9 on the season to 10.45, and lowered his ERA to 2.98. If he can replicate that stat line next year, the Reds are a team worth watching out for.

 

Spencer Turnbull’s Sinker

 

https://gfycat.com/GlamorousComposedEarthworm

 

If you look at Spencer Turnbull’s win-loss record this season, you get a very limited image of the pitcher he’s been. Despite going 3-11 so far this year, Turnbull actually has a fairly decent 3.75 ERA. Now his peripheral stats aren’t as attractive (4.75 SIERA) but Tigers fans need something to be optimistic about right now, so they’ll take what they can get.

 

Marcus Stroman’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/InfamousLiveBuzzard

 

After being traded to New York a few days before the trade deadline, Marcus Stroman has run into some trouble. In his first three starts he has yet to record a QS, but he’s been elite all year so I would expect to see better outings moving forward. If Stroman can consistently execute his slider like he did on this pitch, it could make a huge difference for a team that’s looking for it’s first crack at the playoffs since 2016.

 

Chris Devenski’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/ThatWindyHog

 

So, the Astros have lost three in a row, and they finally seem somewhat vulnerable. This is still one of the strongest rosters in baseball, if not the strongest. In fact, they’re so good that we sometimes forget they have some really solid arms deep in their bullpen. Chris Devenski is one of those guys. He’s having a bit of a down year, but since he’s come up he’s had a sub-4.00 SIERA each season. And Devenski is only their fourth or fifth best bullpen arm, so yeah, the Astros are scary.

 

Yu Darvish’s Cutter

 

https://gfycat.com/FamousInformalEelelephant

 

After a slow start to the season, Yu Darvish is heating up. Darvish pitched yet another gem last night, but had it blown by his bullpen, who combined to allow 7 runs, which included a Bryce Harper walk-off slam. In his last 7 starts, Darvish has a K/BB ratio of 53/2 (you read that right), and if he can keep it up for another month, he can help the Cubs claim another playoff berth.

 

Yu Darvish’s Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/WideeyedAdventurousBarebirdbat

 

Due to the lack of stellar pitching tonight, Yu Darvish gets two shoutouts. Maybe if the Yankees didn’t surrender 19 runs, or if the Dodgers didn’t allow 13 to the Marlins, a pitcher from one of those teams would be here. But, no, those pitching staffs failed us yesterday, so here’s a wicked curve courtesy of Darvish.

 

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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