Justin Verlander further solidifies his status as a future Hall of Famer

Justin Verlander’s case for becoming a future Hall of Famer got a little stronger when he entered the top 10 on MLB’s all-time strikeouts list. The Astros ace entered Friday’s contest ranked 11th on the all-time strikeouts list, three behind the great Greg Maddux.

He outplayed Maddux with a strikeout of the former Astro Abraham Toro to end the second round. It was one of those complete baseball moments for both former teammates. In 2019, Toro hit a game-tying two-run homer, then lined the final out to complete Verlander’s third career no-hitter.

Justin Verlander passes Greg Maddux for 10th all-time in strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/ONlnAB50m1

– MLB (@MLB) May 25, 2024

Verlander struck out a season-high nine batters in six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) in Friday’s 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics. The victory also marks Verlander’s 260th career victory, placing him tied for 41st on the all-time wins list, alongside Ted Lyons.

“I feel like I should be more excited, but I feel like I’m a little more introspective and reflective,” Verlander said after the game. “I don’t know if, as a 21- or 22-year-old working in professional baseball, I thought I’d be in the top 10 in anything. This sport has been around for so long. So yes, difficult to put into words.

He overtook his former teammate Max Scherzer (3,367) for 12th all-time in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers. The two were teammates twice, first with the Detroit Tigers (2010-2014), then with the New York Mets for part of last season. Verlander increased his career total to 3,377 by striking out nine A in six innings of work Friday. All except one (Roger Clemens) of the nine pitchers with more career strikeouts than Verlander are enrolled in Cooperstown.

Justin Verlander cements his status as a future Hall of Famer

Of the 10 pitchers who sat above him before Friday, each of them has pitched at least 20 seasons in the majors. Justin Verlander, now in his 19th season, has accomplished a lot throughout his Hall of Fame-worthy career. He underwent Tommy John surgery four years ago with no guarantee that the now 41-year-old would be as good as he was before.

He returned after Tommy John surgery in 2022, winning his third Cy Young Award and second World Series with the Astros. Verlander has since pitched to a 34-14 record with a 2.58 ERA and 364 strikeouts in 62 appearances between the Astros and Mets.

Astros ace I started late into the 2024 season after shoulder inflammation delayed his offseason throwing program. If he can stay healthy, Justin Verlander could challenge Walter Johnson (3,509) for ninth all-time in strikeouts and Gus Weyhing (264) for 39th all-time in wins.

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