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Veteran SF Giants starter Justin Verlander reaches impressive milestone vs. Nationals

Another milestone in a remarkable career.
ByNick San Miguel|
Jul 9, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Jul 9, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Veteran SF Giants starter Justin Verlander made some history in Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. The 42-year-old became the 10th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,500 career strikeouts.

Verlander did not waste any time doing it as he struck out the side in the top of the first inning to join a very illustrious list of pitchers to reach that feat.

SF Giants starter Justin Verlander makes history vs. Nationals

Verlander is 10th on the all-time strikeout list which is a nice feather in the cap in what has already been a sensational career. He has won an MVP Award, three Cy Young Awards, and is a two-time World Series champion.

He will certainly go down as one of the best pitchers of his generation and is obviously a lock for the Hall of Fame. He may just have some nightmares if he ever sees a Panda for the rest of his life.

This season, Verlander's 20th, has been a struggle at times. It took Verlander a long time to get his first win with the Giants which was not entirely his fault as he got some bad luck with the bullpen blowing games that he had given the team a lead in.

However, as of late Verlander has been great. In his last three outings he has allowed one earned run or fewer and he went five innings in each start. Entering Sunday's start his ERA was down to 4.29 on the season. He has also shown that he still possesses some insane velocity even though he is 42.

He has pitched well enough that there are probably some teams regretting they did not make a move for him at the trade deadline. Even if he is not the same pitcher he once was, he definitely could have helped a contending team try to make a playoff push.

Yet, it seems Verlander will finish out the season with San Francisco. He says he wants to keep pitching after this season, which is not completely crazy given his velocity is still good and his recent form.

The Giants will probably not bring him back next season, but it is neat that he got to have this impressive career milestone while wearing a Giants uniform.

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