There have been plenty of legendary pitchers who have stepped on the mound since 2000. Many Hall of Fame pitchers have made a name for themselves, especially in the postseason. Most pitchers always find a way to get out of a jam during the middle of the game, but not all of them can consistently help their team reach the playoffs, and be a dominating factor. Since the 2000 postseason, they’re only 12 pitchers with more than 100 postseason strikeouts. Only two of those pitchers have over 200 postseason strikeouts. The five pitchers on this list all have Hall of Fame caliber resumes.
Four out of the five still play today. One of these five pitchers is still looking to get enough votes on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Postseason Strikeouts Since 2000
Justin Verlander, 230
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander has had an unbelievable career. He’s the postseason strikeout leader in the last 23 years. Verlander leads all pitchers with 230 postseason strikeouts since 2000. In three postseasons, the 40-year-old recorded 30 or more strikeouts. He set his postseason record in strikeouts, with 38 in each of those playoff appearances. Verlander has struck out 15 or more batters in eight out of his nine playoff appearances.
Through 35 playoff starts, he has thrown one shutout and two complete games with a 3.64 ERA and a 16-11 record. He will try to continue to make history as the Astros will face the Minnesota Twins in the 2023 American League Division Series.
Clayton Kershaw, 213
Clayton Kershaw has proven to many that he’s a Hall of Fame pitcher. Clatyon’s won an MVP Award, a World Series championship, and three National League Cy Young Awards. Kershaw sits second behind Verlander with 213 postseason strikeouts. Like Verlander, Kershaw had a reputation for falling short in the fall. However, Kershaw came up huge when the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in 2020. The former MVP recorded his postseason-high in strikeouts with 37. Kershaw will continue to climb the ladder behind Verlander during the 2023 MLB postseason. Los Angeles will face their division rival, the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series.
Max Scherzer, 164
Max Scherzer won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals, in addition to winning three Cy Young Awards in his career. In the 23 postseason outings under his belt, Scherer has a 3.58 ERA in 133 1/3 innings. The right-hander has a 7-7 playoff record through 27 appearances. He has struck out ten or more batters in six of his nine postseason appearances. While in four of those showings in the playoffs, Max has struck out 20 or more four times, and then 30 or more two times.
While the Texas Rangers have advanced to the ALDS, Scherzer won’t be playing because of a shoulder muscle injury.
Andy Pettitte, 139
Andy Pettitte has had a legendary eighteen-year career. With 139 postseason strikeouts, he helped the New York Yankees win an abundance of championships. He won the ALCS MVP back in 2001 on top of winning the World Series five times. Pettitte is no stranger to the postseason, as he played fourteen out of eighteen seasons in October. In nine of those playoff appearances, Andy has struck out ten or more nine times. The only time he’s struck out 30 or more in a postseason was back in 2003.
Through 30 starts, he has a playoff record of 13-7. In 188 innings pitched, Andy has recorded a lifetime postseason 3.34 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP.
Gerrit Cole, 134
New York’s Gerrit Cole has had a stellar 2023 season, with the hopes of winning his first Cy Young Award. In eleven seasons, playing on three different teams, Cole has made the postseason on seven different occasions While in five out of those seven appearances, he has struck out ten or more batters five times. In the 2019 postseason, Cole recorded 47 strikeouts that postseason. Those 47 strikeouts are tied with four other pitchers for second most in a single postseason. Curt Schilling holds the record for most strikeouts in a postseason with 56. Gerrit also sits right behind Andy Pettitte with 134 postseason strikeouts.
Cole has a 10-6 record through 17 postseason starts. With 104 innings, he has a 2.93 ERA and a .095 WHIP. Unfortunately for the Yankees, they did not meet expectations this season and did not reach the playoffs. They’ll be looking to regroup during the 2024 MLB season, with hopes of making another run next fall.
Photo Credit: © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
