On Friday night in Houston, Justin Verlander will make the eighth World Series start of his career. Which, impressive as it is, doesn't really stand out in MLB's record books. 10 pitchers have made at least nine World Series starts. Hall of Famer Whitey Ford leads the way with 22.
(Honestly, it's most impressive that Verlander has made seven World Series starts without a single win. He's 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA.)
Here's where Verlander does stand out. In fact, here's where he nearly stands alone. On Friday night against the Phillies, he will become the second pitcher in MLB history to start a World Series game in three different decades. Rogers Clemens is the other.
Verlander, who turns 40 this winter, made his first three World Series starts with the Tigers: two against the Cardinals in 2006 and a third against the Giants in 2012. In 15 innings, the future Hall of Famer gave up 18 hits, 12 runs and four homers. Go figure.
He made his last four with the Astros: two against the Dodgers in 2017 and two against the Nationals in 2019. And he wasn't much better. In 23 innings, Verlander gave up 17 hits, 12 runs and five homers. No wonder he's 0-6.
Clemens, by the way, went 3-0 with a 2.37 ERA in eight World Series starts. He took the mound twice for the Red Sox in 1986, once for the Yankees in 1999, four more times for the Yankees from 2000-2003 and once for the Astros, at 42, in 2005.
As Verlander follows in Clemens' footsteps Friday night, he'll also try to follow The Rocket's lead.
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