20+ Strikeouts

[elicoleman]

I just got to thinking about this because this past Friday was the 13 year anniversay of Kerry Wood's 20 K's game. Crazy to think that even 18 K's is very rare, as the last time it was done was May 16th 2004 by Ben Sheets.

Will we ever see it again in our lifetimes?

If so, which pitcher currently do you feel has the greatest chance to accomplish such a rare feat?

[12]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

I just got to thinking about this because this past Friday was the 13 year anniversay of Kerry Wood's 20 K's game. Crazy to think that even 18 K's is very rare, as the last time it was done was May 16th 2004 by Ben Sheets.

Will we ever see it again in our lifetimes?

If so, which pitcher currently do you feel has the greatest chance to accomplish such a rare feat?

I think we'll see it again, eventually.

***Homer Alert***

I could see Felix Hernandez sitting 20 down in a game, though I believe his single game career high is 14 K's. Being realistic though, I doubt he'll ever do it. He's not a dominant strikeout pitcher, though all it takes is one night of missing bats.

Michael Pineda may have a shot in the future. The kid misses bats and has very good command right now.

Okay, okay... Homer glasses off.

Lincecum, Lee, Strasburg (if he returns to form), Kershaw... These are the guys who I'd think could do it, just off the top of my head.

It's amazing to think that Cliff Lee would be in this type of conversation, but the 16 K's in 7 innings can't be ignored or explained away as a fluke. He has turned himself into a strikeout pitcher, which is something that I never thought he'd be when he left Cleveland.

It'll be a tough feat for whoever does it, and it will probably be someone who I never even thought of.

[SPTO]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

I think we'll see it again. This is a bit of a homer pick but I think when Brandon Morrow is totally on his game he has the stuff to do it.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

No mention of Justin Verlander?

However, my money is on Strasburg if he comes back the same.

In fact, I'd nearly guarantee that he'd do it once.

[slickdtc]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

Perhaps Aroldis Chapman, when he becomes a starter?

Strasburg is a good one. Ubaldo Jimenez is another.

Lee's had a few pretty crazy K total games this year and it's only May. Didn't he strike out 12 in his first start? I think he had a 14 K game too. But maybe I'm confusing him with Roy Halladay, because I know he did it on Easter Sunday.

[Blzer]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

Pitchers are going less deep into ball games than ever before. I'm not a fan of the nurturing arms to only throw 120 pitches max, and that being on a good day.

I went on Wikipedia about a month ago and noticed they showed data leading up to 2007 on MLB games where starters through 150+ pitches, etc. The number keeps dwindling each year. Leave it up to middle relievers these days I guess.

Also, I've never been a fan of managers giving their pitchers the hook because they're giving up runs. If they're hitting their targets, credit the hitters don't discredit the pitcher. Maybe if they strictly have his number then that's one thing, but if ground balls are finding holes and flairs are dropping in while you're making your pitches, let him go up to that 120. He only gets to pitch once every five days, he should be able to stay out there.

Eh, my point with this was going to be that I don't see it happening as long as the future sees lower pitch counts. Now that the century mark is the "be on alert" number, having 60 of your pitches fall in for strikes where 20 of them are the third strike is pretty difficult to do.

[24]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

i think that right now cliff lee could do it. we have seen him put up some pretty impressive strike out totals in a single game (including his 16k performance this year). another guy could be Timmy Lincecum as he has som filthy stuff

[CabreraMVP]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

Max Scherzer. I think he had 15 in 6 innings last year. He is one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game.

[berenjena]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

*Insert the strikeout pitcher in your favorite team here*

[Chip Douglass]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

Ridiculous to think that Roger Clemens actually did this twice, pre-steroids.

[Jowhh]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

hmmmm, ill put this in terms of video games.... MLB PowerPros 2008 lets you throw 20+ strikeout games all the time.. usually only in spring training though

[Vince]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

Homer pick too with Morrow. He had 17 last year vs a good Tampa team. This years he's at 12k's per 9 innings. Control and high pitch counts are his downfall though.

[SoxBrewersMarlins]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

Strasburg or Ubaldo Jimenez i could see doing it, or Verlander, Verlander when hes on can be K city. Probly few others too but im too lazy to go on lol.

[Chizzypoof]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

This brings to mind a bar debate I had. Whats the more dominating performance?

20+k complete game shutout or a perfect game?

[Sportsforever]

Re: 20+ Strikeouts

This brings to mind a bar debate I had. Whats the more dominating performance?

20+k complete game shutout or a perfect game?

I'd have to go with the 20+K complete game shutout...that's just dominant. You could technically get a perfecto without striking out a soul, although it's highly unlikely. Too much has to go right for a perfect game, but a 20+ k game is legit. In fact, I think the most dominating game I've ever seen was Wood's 20 K game...I know the Astros had a hit (I thought it should have been an error...Kevin Orie botched it), but they had no chance that day.