This one hits a bit differently! Fans of our previous daily nastiest pitches articles will be familiar with the content in this new weekly article that covers all the need-to-know highlights of baseball from the past week in GIF form. From cool moments, nastiest pitches, and the moments you’d want to forget, our GIFs of the week are sure to entertain.
Cool Moments
Ohtani Meets Judge…
A mouthwatering matchup between two of last season’s superstars, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, in the Bronx did not disappoint. The two icons lit up the first inning – Ohtani belting a high fly ball to centre field only to watch Judge rise and take away a home run in spectacular fashion. It was all smiles from the Yankees hero.
…but Judge Steals The Show!
The drama did not end there, however. After stealing away a homer from the Japanese superstar, Judge showed off his own power with a towering blast to deep left field to give the Yankees an early two-run lead. What a bomb! Baseball, you gotta love it!
The Mariners Unleash The Trident!
The Seattle Mariners took the home run celebration game to a whole new level against the Brewers this week by presenting young superstar outfielder Julio Rodríguez with a sparking golden trident in the dugout after the 2022 Rookie of the Year blasted a two-run shot off Eric Lauer to give his side the lead. Ultra cool.
No Look, No Problem For Adam
Well, look no further from the play of the season so far from Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jason Adam. Pitching in the ninth inning with a 7-1 lead, the promising right-hander pulled off the most sensational no-look, around-the-back catch to turn a double play and end the contest. Remarkable feats of ingenuity on show. Kevin Kiermaier said all that needed to be said – “Wow! Wow!”
Nastiest Pitches
Mason Miller’s Four-Seam Fastball
Finally, some signs of life for the Athletics fans as they see a glimpse of the future in Mason Miller. The young arm was impressive and exciting in his major league debut, showing all the signs of being an ace to build a team around. For his first professional strikeout, why not make it a former MVP? Cody Bellinger chases this devastating 100 mph heater high in the zone, the perfect K for an ace!
Drew Smyly’s Curveball
The Chicago Cubs are for real and their excellent start to the season continued with a 13-0 drubbing of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field. Drew Smyly was superb and went through seven and two-third innings perfectly before an unfortunate collision with his catcher broke up the perfect game. Still, he was sensational and this vicious 77 mph curveball to Max Muncy was a true highlight.
Shohei Ohtani’s Curveball
The greatest baseball talent on the planet put on a show in Anaheim as Shohei Ohtani moved to 3-0 with a miraculous 0.64 ERA. This nasty 71 mph curveball produced gasps across the stadium to strike out MJ Melendez and end the sixth inning. Showtime is at the very top of his game.
Shane McClanahan’s Four-Seam Fastball
It’s Shane McClanahan’s world, we are just living in it. The Rays ace has been spectacular through his four starts – 4-0 record, 1.57 ERA, 1.13 WHIP with 27 strikeouts through 23 frames. Elite. Here he rings up Alejandro Kirk with a lethal 99 mph heater high and away. You love to see it.
Whoopsy!
“Juuuuuust a bit outside”
It was a rough start for Cubs reliever Mark Leiter Jr. in his outing against the Athletics earlier this week. At first, there was a heavy major league feel about a pitch which was “juuuuuuust a bit outside” before the reliever struck his catcher exactly where no man wants a solid ball to approach at high velocity. Ouch!
Gomes Crashes Perfect Party
In the disaster of the week, Cubs veteran catcher Yan Gomes literally crashed and burned Drew Smyly’s perfect game by running into and knocking over his starting pitcher as Smyly attempted to field a bunt and throw to first for the out. Gomes had already committed to making the play too. What a way for it to end!
Image adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@KUWasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram)
No Luis Garcia cutters? :(