A couple of weeks ago, I watched some highlights on YouTube and one of those highlights was a shutout thrown by a great pitcher of this generation. In today’s baseball games, MLB teams have very different ways on pitcher usage. Now, we don’t often see a pitcher throw a complete game. Hence, it’s even rare to see a shutout in today’s games.
However, I’m just wondering who is the leader in shutouts.
Among active players, Clayton Kershaw leads in shutouts. By far, Kershaw already tossed 15 shutouts in his career. Kershaw’s first career shutout was on September 14, 2010. It was a game against the Giants, Kershaw threw 111 pitches, struck out 4 batters and gave up only 4 hits. The Dodgers actually had only 1 hit and scored the only run of that game. From 2011 to 2016, Kershaw recorded at least 2 shutouts in each season. In particular, he tossed a no-hitter in 2014. However, Kershaw hasn’t thrown a shutout for several years. The last time that Kershaw tossed a shutout was on May 23, 2016. He used 102 pitches and punched out 7 batters. In that game, Kershaw only gave up 2 hits and 1 walk. Additionally, the Dodgers scored only 1 run in that game. Well, Kershaw did throw a complete game in 2017, but he hasn’t tossed a shutout for 5 seasons.
Moreover, Ervin Santana threw 11 shutouts. Ervin Santana made it into the big league in 2005. In the second start of his career, he pitched a shutout against the White Sox. Santana gave up 5 hits and struck out 7 in that game to record his first career win. In 2011, Santana threw a no-hitter against the Indians on July 27. But, that game wasn't a shutout because the Indians scored 1 run. In 2017, Santana made 33 starts and tossed 211.1 innings for the Twins. And, he pitched 3 shutout games. Furthermore, Santana was selected to the 2017 All-Star game. However, he only made two starts and threw 65.1 innings in 2021.
In addition, Adam Wainwright also threw 11 shutout games so far in his career. He tossed 2 shutouts in 2010, 2012 and 2013. Moreover, he pitched 3 shutout games in the 2014 season. Last season, Wainwright tossed a shutout against the Pirates and he only used 88 pitches. Wainwright already turned 40 last August, but he has shown that aging isn’t a problem.
Finally, Justin Verlander threw 9 shutouts so far in his career. Among those 9 shutouts, 3 were no-hitters. Furthermore, Johnny Cueto, Derek Holland and Corey Kluber each tossed 8 shutouts. Corey Kluber tossed a no-hitter last May.
Last season, 24 pitches tossed a shutout or more. It will be interesting to see whether the number will go up or go down. Additionally, can Kershaw pitch a shutout game again? The shutout in 2016 might be the last shutout in his career? Well, he’s a free agent now. Let’s see when he will sign a new contract. Moreover, can Adam Wainwright toss a shutout at 40? Meanwhile, Justin Verlander will return to the mound after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He’s already 39 years old, will he throw a shutout is his first season after the TJ surgery?
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