Justin Verlander Sets Record With 200th Career Postseason Strikeout

Astros pitcher Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander with the Astros in September 2019. Photo by Canadian Press/Shutterstock (10376893j)

Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros might have lost Game 2 of the World Series, putting them in a big hole against the upstart Washington Nationals.

That doesn’t take away the fact, that Verlander made history during his start against the Nationals on Wednesday night, recording his 200th strikeout in the playoffs.

This broke the previous record of 199, owned by former Braves star John Smoltz, putting the veteran righty at the top of a list that includes some of the game’s best-ever hurlers.

It didn’t take long for the Virginia native to record the record-setting K in Game 2. He got Victor Robles to strike out on three pitches, recording his fourth strikeout in the first two innings of the game.

He didn’t have his best start on Wednesday, giving up four runs in only six innings on the bump. He struck out six hitters in total, which left him with 202 total postseason strikeouts, a mark that he will look to extend if the Astros manage to extend the series and get him another start.

Verlander owns a career 14-10 record with a 3.35 ERA in the playoffs. He has, however, struggled in the World Series with an 0-5 record and an elevated 5.73 ERA in 6 starts.

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