Verlander becomes 3rd SP to 500 starts, matches Clemens in wins

Philly's Justin Verlander of blew past a number of milestones in recent weeks, starting his 500th career game and notching his 211th career win.

Verlander, 43, was drafted in the 6th round by the Brindle Pups, now the LA Waymo Saboteurs, but released before being claimed by Philly. He's found a fountain of youth in his first two starts for the Green Rage. 

A 4-2 victory over San Francisco provided Verlander with his 4th win against zero losses this season and his 211th career win. That matches Roger Clemens for 4th all-time. Next up is Zack Greinke, who is 6 wins away at 217. Verlander entered 2026 with 207 wins, a tie for 5th with Pedro Martinez. Randy Johnson (230) and Maddux (232) appear to be too far to catch -- at least in 2026.

Verlander's first start of 2026 also broke a tie with Maddux (497) for No. 3 in career starts, and second start of the season was No. 500 for his career, a mark matched only by Greinke and Kershaw. The active pitcher behind him is Max Scherzer at 9th with 432, who's still waiting for a call on the free agent list. Scherzer is also in Verlander's sights on the all-time strikeouts list. Scherzer is 3rd with 3,270 while Verlander is 48 away with 3,222 and counting.

Verlander's first loss of the season will match him with Bartolo Colon (167) for most by a right-hander. Only lefties Tom Glavine (172) and Clayton Kershaw (168) have more, with Kershaw a safe bet to break the all-time mark in 2026.

Kershaw's recent stint on the IL has allowed Verlander to catch the left-hander in career innings pitched, in only briefly. It's likely that the two will jockey all season between 3rd and 4th on the all-time innings list. Entering Sunday's doubleheader, Kershaw's return from the IL allow him to edge past Verlander, with 3,276.7 to 3,276. Greinke is within striking distance at No. 2 with 3,393.7 -- 117 innings away. The two will have avoid the IL to catch the career leader, Maddux with 3,415, about 138 IP away; Verlander would have to reach about 175 innings in 2026 while Kershaw would have log about 150.