Justin Verlander recorded his highest pitch speed since 2022, reaching 98.3 mph, while achieving a milestone by passing Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven in road game career strikeouts. This feat happened on Monday night as Verlander pitched for the San Francisco Giants in a narrow 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The achievement highlights Verlander’s enduring prowess as a dominant pitcher away from home.
Ranking of Top Career Road Strikeout Leaders in Baseball History
The list of pitchers with the most career strikeouts in road games places Verlander seventh, with a total of 1,744 strikeouts after Monday’s performance. The list is led by Nolan Ryan with 2,444 strikeouts, followed by Randy Johnson (2,206), Roger Clemens (2,124), Steve Carlton (2,000), Tom Seaver (1,792), and Max Scherzer (1,760). Verlander’s total has now surpassed Blyleven’s 1,742, securing him the next spot among these legendary pitchers.
Background and Career Highlights of Bert Blyleven and Justin Verlander
Bert Blyleven spent 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, playing for teams including the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, and California Angels. Over his career, he recorded 3,701 strikeouts in nearly 5,000 innings, won 287 games, and maintained a 3.31 ERA. Blyleven was a two-time All-Star and led the majors in innings pitched and strikeouts in 1985.
Justin Verlander, known as one of the top pitchers of his generation, is a nine-time All-Star and two-time ERA title winner. He has won three Cy Young Awards and one MVP, along with two World Series championships with the Houston Astros. Verlander has also played for the Detroit Tigers and the New York Mets before joining the Giants this season.
Verlander’s Current Season and Career Status
In his debut season with San Francisco, Verlander has recorded a 1-8 win-loss record and a 4.29 ERA. Despite these numbers, he continues to lead active pitchers in multiple career categories, including wins (263), losses (155), games started (545), innings pitched (3,510), and strikeouts (3,497). Verlander remains committed to continuing his career and will become a free agent after the current season.
Significance of Verlander’s Milestone in Baseball History
Passing a respected Hall of Famer like Blyleven underscores Justin Verlander’s longevity and skill, especially on the road where pitching conditions vary greatly. Achieving this milestone while maintaining impressive velocity signals that Verlander is still a formidable presence on the mound. As he approaches free agency, his career achievements solidify his legacy as one of baseball’s all-time great pitchers.
“Most career strikeouts on the road:2444- Nolan Ryan2206- Randy Johnson2124- Roger Clemens2000- Steve Carlton1792- Tom Seaver1760- Max Scherzer1744- @astros Justin Verlander (Via 4 on Monday at PIT)1742- Bert Blyleven1684- Gaylord Perry1676- Phil Niekro1637- Greg Maddux pic.twitter.com/3fGrKBTzS3” —StatsCentre (@StatsCentre)