The starter Justin Verlander continues to show that age is only one digit, and putting that and the possible consequences of an operation before him, he is signing a great start to the season; worthy of those who before him also defied the limits of age.
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In such a way that on Tuesday night, he took his seventh victory of the campaign by working for seven innings, where he allowed six hits, one run, gave up two walks and struck out 12 opponents in the 4-1 win for the Astros in the second of the series against the Mariners and Minute Maid Park.
Still, with that many strikeouts, he joined a roster; where he is the 16th pitcher, with games of 12 or more guillotined after turning 39 years of age; being also the third, after Nolan Ryan (6) and Roger Clemens, who does it wearing the uniform of those from the space city.
| Name | Games with 12+ K’s with 39+ years | From to |
| Nolan Ryan | 22 | 1986 – 1992 |
| Randy Johnson | 9 | 2002 – 2008 |
| Roger Clemens | 3 | 2002 – 2004 |
| Dazzy Vance | 3 | 1930 – 1932 |
| Gaylord Perry | 2 | 1977 – 1982 |
| JUSTIN VERLANDER | 1 | 2022 – |
| Rich Hill | 1 | 2021 – |
| John Smoltz | 1 | 2007 |
| Tim Wakefield | 1 | 2005 |
| Chuck Finley | 1 | 2002 |
| Charlie Hough | 1 | 1987 |
| Phil Niekro | 1 | 1978 |
| Bob Gibson | 1 | 1975 |
| Warren Spahn | 1 | 1960 |
| Early Wynn | 1 | 1959 |
| Johnny Niggeling | 1 | [1945 |
Your numbers stand out
The Virginia native, however, has put up some pretty remarkable numbers in this his first season after recovering from elbow surgery, delivering start after start performances worthy of his name and what he represents as a pitcher.
Consequently, he has an ERA in 11 starts, 2.13 in a total of 71 2/3 innings pitched; maximum amount in the Major Leagues, with 73 strikeouts, 14 walks and a WHIP of 0.84, with which he also commands all of baseball, surpassing Triston McKenzie (0.86), Néstor Cortés (0.87) and Shane McClanahan (0.92), three pitchers who their combined average age is 14 years younger than Verlander’s age.
For his part, his number of wins since 2017 (60), is the most for pitchers aged 34 or older, just above pitchers like Adam Wainwright (55), JA Happ and Charlie Morton; both with 51, in addition to Zack Greinke with 47 and Jon Lester, already retired with 41.
