Since his rookie campaign of 2006, Justin Verlander has been one of the best postseason pitchers in all of baseball.
Verlander got the start for the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS last night against the New York Yankees, where he would continue to strengthen his postseason resume, allowing just one run over six innings and striking out 11 Yankee hitters.
The Astros won Game 1 by a final of 4-2.
Verlander and Clayton Kershaw had been going back and forth with one another in a competition for the most strikeouts in postseason history.
With Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated, Verlander put some distance between the former National League Cy Young Award Winner, increasing his postseason strikeout total to 215.
Justin Verlander now has the most postseason strikeouts in MLB history with 215. pic.twitter.com/0X3P0jBDNe
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 20, 2022
Verlander Sets Postseason K Record
Verlander was at his best in Game 1 as he shut down the vaunted New York attack through six innings of one-run baseball.
Now, he owns the most strikeouts for a pitcher in postseason history.
Verlander has been one of the most dominant postseason starters in baseball over his many years in the majors, and he was back at it again on Wednesday as he helped put the Astros in front early in the ALCS.
The 39-year-old right-hander went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA in 28 starts and 175 total innings of work during the regular season.
For his postseason career, Verlander is 15-11 with a 3.55 ERA in 33 appearances and 32 starts.
He’s also struck out 14 total batters this October.
The Astros will now turn to Framber Valdez for Game 2 as they look to take a 2-0 lead into New York for Game 3 this weekend.
He’ll be opposed by right-hander Luis Severino, who will look to help the Yankees even the ALCS.
NEXT: The Astros Feature A Stacked ALCS Rotation