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 Third 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.
Zack Greinke’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/equatorialelasticflyingfish
The newest member of the Houston Astros ended his Diamondbacks career in solid fashion, allowing two earned runs over five innings while striking out seven. The 35-year-old Zack Greinke, who seems to be aging in reverse, now will take a 2.90 ERA and a 10-4 record to south Texas, joining Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Wade Miley to form the most fearsome rotation in baseball. I, for one, am in favor of simply giving the Astros their rings now.
Jose Berrios’ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/fardefenselessflamingo
The consistency issues that plagued Jose Berrios up to this point in his career have evaporated, as Berrios has been one of the absolute best pitchers in baseball. Following a seven-inning, two-hit shutout of the Marlins on Wednesday, Berrios owns a 2.80 ERA as he makes a solid push for his first AL Cy Young Award.
Jacob deGrom’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/ficklemeekborderterrier
Jacob deGrom has been nothing short of phenomenal of late, having not allowed a run in a game since July 14, posting a 12.85 K/9 in that span. His season ERA stands at 2.78, with a phenomenal 11.5 K/9 as deGrom makes a second half push to repeat as a Cy Young winner. Hyun-Jin Ryu seems determined not to let that happen, but betting against the deGrominator is usually a fool’s errand.
Andrew Kittredge’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/ablespryiberianbarbel
Andrew Kittredge has been a great addition to the Rays bullpen since being called up from Triple-A, posting a 2.74 ERA and an 11.35 K/9. The Spokane native (509 represent!) has served as an opener for the Rays in several games and figures to an important part of a potential Rays playoff run.
Lucas Giolito’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/unawarefloweryandeancat
July was not kind to Lucas Giolito, as he posted a 5.65 ERA after owning just a 2.72 ERA in the months prior. He was looking like an AL Cy Young candidate before this awful July, but he could still turn things around with a strong August and September and make a late run. Hopefully we don’t see Giolito regress back to 2017 form.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Third Quarter Contest.
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