Francisco Liriano’s Slider: Then and Now

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY SportsFor Francisco Liriano to be productive during his second stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates, his slider must play.

Technically speaking, Francisco Liriano’s contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates is of the minor league variety.

But in all likelihood, he has the upper hand in earning a 25-man spot out of Spring Training. He checks so many boxes for the club: a left-handed reliever who can spot start while still getting out left handed hitters with relative ease.

Yet for Liriano to be productive, his best pitch is going to have to stand up. That’s the slider, of course. While no one expects the pitch to be as deadly as it once was, it will have to serve as an…