Unbelievable Pitching Dominance: The Record-Breaking Strikeouts That Changed Postseason History Forever

Brown dominated the Astros in Game 1, allowing no runs and just two hits in 8.0 innings pitched along with his 16 strikeouts. He held Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell hitless in this contest, carrying the Padres to a crucial 2-1 victory in Houston.
As just a 22-year-old rookie, Livan Hernandez dominated the 101-win Braves and their lineup filled with Hall of Famers. He allowed just three hits and one run in his complete-game 15-strikeout outing, leading the Marlins to a pivotal victory on the way to the title.

In this previously mentioned matchup with Detroit ace and 31-game winner Denny McLain, Gibson fanned six of the first seven batters and cruised to a historic performance. He would go on to win the National League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Awards after going 22-9 with a microscopic 1.12 earned-run average.

The 2001 World Series was known for Luis Gonzalez’s game-winning soft single off iconic Yankees closer Mariano Rivera in Game 7. But Schilling was one of the stars of the postseason run, going 4-0 with a 1.12 ERA and a record 56 Ks over 48.1 innings in his six starts.

Newcombe may have set the MLB record for Ks in a World Series game by a rookie, but he ended up taking the loss after Yankees first baseman Tommy Henrich led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk-off homer. Newcombe’s 11 strikeouts also tied the World Series record for most by a losing pitcher.

Most Strikeouts in a Postseason Game

17 – Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals (1968 World Series Game 1 vs. Detroit Tigers)

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Those are just a few of the legendary pitching masterpieces we’ve witnessed in the postseason over the course of Major League Baseball history.

16 – Kevin Brown, San Diego Padres (1998 NLDS Game 1 vs. Houston Astros)

The post The Most Strikeouts in a Postseason and World Series appeared first on Opta Analyst.

• 15 – Five Players Tied (Gerrit Cole, Roger Clemens, Livan Hernandez, Mike Mussina, Sandy Koufax)

Most Strikeouts in a Postseason Game by a Rookie

15 – Livan Hernandez, Florida Marlins (1997 NLCS Game 5 vs. Atlanta Braves)

Some call Gibson the best pitcher of all time – and for good reason. His name is scattered across these records in several categories. He was dominant in Games 1 and 4 of the 1968 World Series, allowing one run and striking out 27 over two complete-game victories. But the Tigers managed to score four off Gibson in Game 7, winning 4-1 in St. Louis.

• 14 – Mike Boddicker, Baltimore Orioles (1983 ALCS Game 2 vs. Chicago White Sox)
• 14 – John Candelaria, Pittsburgh Pirates (1975 NLCS Game 3 vs. Cincinnati Reds)
• 11 – Don Newcombe, Brooklyn Dodgers (1949 World Series Game 1 vs. New York Yankees)
• 10 – Tim Belcher, Los Angeles Dodgers (1988 NLCS Game 2 vs. New York Mets)
• 10 – Dave Righetti, New York Yankees (1981 ALDS Game 2 vs. Milwaukee Brewers)

Most Strikeouts in a World Series Game

17 – Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals (1968 World Series Game 1 vs. Detroit Tigers)

Gibson also picked up the win in Game 4 of the series, striking out 10 and allowing just one run in another complete game before twirling another complete game in Game 7. Unfortunately for Gibson, his dominant season was not enough as he and the Cardinals lost that Game 7 to the Detroit Tigers.

• 15 – Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers (1963 World Series Game 1 vs. New York Yankees)
• 14 – Carl Erskine, Brooklyn Dodgers (1953 World Series Game 3 vs. New York Yankees)

Most Strikeouts in a World Series Game by a Rookie

11 – Don Newcombe, Brooklyn Dodgers (1949 World Series Game 1 vs. New York Yankees)

But what separates the best of the most dominant efforts are the strikeouts. When a pitcher is so good on the biggest stage that the other team struggles to even put the ball in play, it can take the wind out of the opponent’s sails.

Most Strikeouts in a Postseason

56 – Curt Schilling, Arizona Diamondbacks (2001)

The 1968 National League MVP and Cy Young winner led the league in ERA, strikeouts and shutouts to help the Cardinals win 97 games and the NL pennant in one of the best pitching seasons ever. In his seventh career World Series start, Gibson continued his regular-season dominance with a 17-strikeout shutout.

• 47 – Josh Beckett, Florida Marlins (2003)
• 47 – Gerrit Cole, Houston Astros (2009)
• 47 – Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (2009)
• 47 – Cliff Lee, Texas Rangers (2010)
• 47 – Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks (2001)

Most Strikeouts in a World Series

35 – Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals (1968)

Here are the pitchers who have done that best over the course of the MLB playoffs.

• 31 – Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals (1964)
• 29 – Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers (1965)
• 28 – Bill Dinneen, Boston Americans (1903)
• 26 – Curt Schilling, Arizona Diamondbacks (2001)
• 26 – Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals (1967)

Ah, postseason baseball—the theater where legends are forged and every pitch carries the weight of history. Remember Don Larsen’s flawless masterpiece back in ’56? Or Sandy Koufax, who didn’t just pitch but practically hypnotized batters in the climactic Game 7 of ’65? And who could forget Josh Beckett’s clutch artistry in the 2003 Fall Classic? These aren’t just games; they’re symphonies of dominance, where the real magic often boils down to one thing: strikeouts. When the opposing team barely scratches the surface of the ball, it’s like sucking the very air right outta the stadium. So, who’s stood tallest on that mound, racking up strikeouts when it mattered most? Let’s dive into the tales of these postseason maestros who rewrote the rules of engagement with their blazing fastballs and unyielding command. LEARN MORE
Don Larsen’s perfect game against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. Sandy Koufax’s gem in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series. Josh Beckett’s performance in Game 6 of the 2003 Fall Classic.