Best MLB Starting Pitchers Ever by Team

It's a new era on major league mounds, but aces are timeless. These are the all-time aces for every MLB team.

Big hits are exciting, but pitching — especially starting pitching — wins championships. Some organizations have had many aces deliver impressive stats and memorable postseason performances. Other franchises have been less fortunate, barely scraping the surface of pitching excellence.

Of course, baseball has evolved over the years, and the role of pitcher is much different today. The average starter faces fewer batters per game (23 in 2018), and relievers play a much larger role. We will never see another Cy Young or Walter Johnson. Young once pitched 414.1 innings in one season (1896) and threw an astronomical 7,356 innings over his 22-year career, a major league record. Johnson threw 110 shutouts and 531 complete games.

The major league leader in innings pitched in 2018, Max Scherzer, threw 220.2 innings. The active leader for career shutouts, Clayton Kershaw, has 15. And the active leader for career complete games, CC Sabathia, owns 38.

It’s a new era on the mound. Still, every team has had at least one ace that stood out in franchise history. These are the best starting pitchers ever for each major league team.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Randy Johnson

Randy Johnson pitches against the San Diego Padres in 2008. Ross D. Franklin / AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1988-2009)

Teams: Montreal Expos (1988-89), Seattle Mariners (1989-98), Houston Astros (1998), Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004, 2007-08), New York Yankees (2005-06), San Francisco Giants (2009)

Career stats: 603 GS, 303-166 (.646), 3.29 ERA, 4,135.1 IP, 4,875 K, 100 CG, 37 SHO

Diamondbacks stats: 232 GS, 118-62 (.656), 2.83 ERA, 1,630.1 IP, 2,077 K, 38 CG, 14 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (2001)

Bottom line: “The Big Unit” already was an established big leaguer when he joined the Diamondbacks in 1999, but the 6-foot-10 flamethrower became a big legend in the desert.

After winning 150 games in his first 11 major league seasons (with 58 complete and 23 shutouts), Johnson won 81 games (31 complete, 11 shutouts). In that time, he struck out 1,417 batters and became the second pitcher to win four straight Cy Young Awards after after Greg Maddux.

His 2001 season was extra special as he led the majors with a 2.49 ERA and 372 strikeouts (11 away from Nolan Ryan’s all-time major league mark) and was the 2001 World Series MVP, going 3-0 against the New York Yankees to lead the Diamondbacks to their only World Series championship.

Atlanta Braves: Greg Maddux

Greg Maddux delivers a pitch for the Braves in a playoff game against the San Francisco Giants in 2002. Julie Jacobson / AP Photo

Experience: 23 seasons (1986-2008)

Teams: Chicago Cubs (1986-92, 2004-06), Atlanta Braves (1993-2003), Los Angeles Dodgers (2006, 2008), San Diego (2007-08)

Career stats: 740 GS, 355-227 (.610), 3.16 ERA, 5,008.1 IP, 3,371 K, 109 CG, 35 SHO

Braves stats: 363 GS, 194-88 (.688), 2.63 ERA, 2,526.2 IP, 1,828 K, 61 CG, 21 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1995)

Bottom line: Greg Maddux was one of the best to ever step on a mound and posted Hall of Fame numbers with two teams — the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs.

Although he resembled an insurance salesman more than a menacing ace, you don’t get a nickname like “Mad Dog” by accident. Maddux was as competitive as they come and a control master on the mound, winning four straight Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995, including three with the Braves.

Maddux also led the league in ERA four times with the Braves — posting posting a minuscule 1.56 and 1.63 in 1994 and 1995, respectively — and was one of the game’s greatest defensive pitchers, taking home 10 Gold Gloves in 11 years in Atlanta.

Baltimore Orioles: Jim Palmer

Jim Palmer pitches Game 6 of 1979 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. AP Photo

Experience: 19 seasons, all with the Orioles (1965-67, 1969-84)

Career stats: 521 GS, 268-152 (.638), 2.86 ERA, 3,948.0 IP, 2,212 K, 211 CG, 53 SHO

World Series titles: 3 (1966, 1970, 1983)

Bottom line: Jim Palmer was special from the beginning. He made his major league debut at 19 in 1965, and in his second year in the Show, the right-hander became the youngest pitcher to throw a shutout in a World Series, blanking the Los Angeles Dodger in Game 3 of the 1966 Fall Classic, just nine days shy of his 21st birthday, to help the Birds win their first title.

He won two more rings with the Orioles and appeared in all six of Baltimore’s World Series, compiling a career 8-3 postseason record with a 2.61 earned run average in the playoffs.

Palmer never was a huge strikeout pitcher, averaging 4.2 K’s per game in his career, but just knew how to pitch. In 1975, his best season, Palmer won his second of three Cy Young Awards, highlighted by a mind-boggling 25 complete games (which still were five fewer than the major league leader that season, Oakland A’s pitcher Catfish Hunter).

In 1990, Palmer was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot with 92.6 percent of the vote.

Boston Red Sox: Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez walks on the field at Fenway Park before a Red Sox alumni baseball game in 2018. Michael Dwyer / AP Photo

Experience: 18 seasons (1992-2009)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-93), Montreal Expos (1994-97), Boston Red Sox (1998-2004), New York Mets (2005-08), Philadelphia Phillies (2009)

Career stats: 476 GS, 219-100 (.687), 2.86 ERA, 2827.1 IP, 3,154 K, 46 CG, 17 SHO

Red Sox stats: 201 GS, 117-37 (.760), 2.52 ERA, 1383.2 IP, 1,683 K, 22 CG, 8 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (2004)

Bottom line: The Red Sox have had some of the best pitchers of all time, including Cy Young, Roger Clemens, Lefty Grove, Curt Schilling, Dennis Eckersley and Luis Tiant. But Pedro Martinez did more for the organization than any of them.

His back-to-back Cy Young-winning seasons in 1999 and 2000 showcased how dominant he was, considering the era in which he pitched. In 1999, Pedro went 23-4 while leading the American League with a 2.07 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 313 strikeouts. He followed that season with another one, going 18-6 with a league-leading 1.74 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 284 strikeouts.

Martinez is third among Red Sox pitchers with a 53.8 WAR, behind only Young and Clemens, despite playing just seven seasons in Boston. Pedro is the franchise leader in winning percentage (.760), strikeout rate (10.9 K/9) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.45).

More important than anything else, though, Pedro was an integral part in helping the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series and break an 86-year World Series drought.

In 2015, the same year he entered Cooperstown, Martinez had his No. 45 retired by the Red Sox, the first pitcher in team history to get the honor.

Chicago Cubs: Fergie Jenkins

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ferguson Jenkins delivers against the Cincinnati Red in 1983. John Swart / AP Photo

Experience: 19 seasons (1965-83)

Teams: Philadelphia Phillies (1965-66), Chicago Cubs (1966-73, 1982-83) Texas Rangers (1974-75, 1978-81)

Career stats: 594 GS, 284-226 (.557), 3.34 ERA, 4500.2 IP, 3,192 K, 267 CG, 49 SHO

Cubs stats: 347 GS, 167-132 (.559), 3.20 ERA, 2673.2 IP, 2,038 K, 154 CG, 29 SHO

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: In 1967, his first full season as a starting pitcher, Fergie Jenkins began a string of six straight campaigns with 20 or more victories.

Jenkins also completed 20 or more of his starts in each of those six seasons, including a career-best and major-league leading 30 complete games in 1971, when he went 24-13 and won the Cy Young Award. He also hit six home runs and drove in 20 runs that season.

Jenkins was named to three All-Star teams as a Cub and threw 154 complete games and 29 shutouts in 10 seasons calling Wrigley Field home.

Chicago White Sox: Ted Lyons

Chicago White Sox pitcher Ted Lyons in 1942. AP Photo

Experience: 21 seasons, all with the White Sox (1923-42, 1946)

Career stats: 484 GS, 260-230 (.531), 3.67 ERA, 4,161.0 IP, 1,073 K, 356 CG, 27 SHO

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: The number that stands out is 356. That’s the number of complete games Ted Lyons pitched for the White Sox, good for 24th on the all-time major league list.

Lyons led the American League in victories and innings pitched twice and won 20 or more games two times. The 5-foot-11 right-hander pitched more innings (4,161) and won more games (260) than any other White Sox pitcher in team history.

“Sunday Teddy” had the misfortune of playing for some dismal South Sider clubs, but the fastball pitcher developed a knuckleball after hurting his shoulder in 1931, his ninth year in the majors, to extend his career. Due to this injury, it became common for Lyons to start on Sundays with six days of rest.

He pitched another 12 big league seasons and led the AL in ERA in 1942, his penultimate big league year, before missing three seasons for military service during World War II.

Cincinnati Reds: Bucky Walters

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Bucky Walters in 1939. AP Photo

Experience: 16 seasons (1934-48, 1950)

Teams: Philadelphia Phillies (1934-38), Cincinnati Reds (1938-48), Boston Braves (1950)

Career stats: 398 GS, 198-160 (.553), 3.30 ERA, 3,104.2 IP, 1,107 K, 242 CG, 42 SHO

Reds stats: 296 GS, 160-107 (.599), 2.93 ERA, 2,355.2 IP, 879 K, 195 CG, 32 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1940)

Bottom line: A five-time All-Star with the Reds, Bucky Walters won the NL MVP Award in 1939.

That season, he completed 31 of his 39 starts and went 27-11 with a 2.29 ERA in 319 innings to help the Reds capture their first National League pennant in 20 years. He even batted .325 in 129 at-bats.

The following season, he led the NL in wins (22) and ERA (2.48) as the Reds repeated as NL champions and beat Detroit in a seven-game World Series, highlighted by Walters’ two complete-game efforts.

Walters is the Reds’ career leader in shutouts with 32 and ranks fourth on the all-time leaderboard in wins (160) and complete games (195).

Cleveland Indians: Bob Feller

Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller at spring training in 1941. AP Photo

Experience: 18 seasons, all with the Indians (1936-41, 1945-56)

Career stats: 484 GS, 266-162 (.621), 3.25 ERA, 3,827.0 IP, 2,581 K, 279 CG, 44 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1948)

Bottom line: Bob Feller was a baseball prodigy, debuting in the majors at age 17 in 1936. Three year later, he notched his first 20-win campaign at the age of 20 and in 1940 became the only major leaguer to throw a no-hitter in an Opening Day start.

By age 22, he had 100 career victories. Had it not been for a four-year stint away from baseball at his peak to serve in the Navy during World War II, Feller no doubt would have won over 300 games and struck out 3,500 batters.

Nicknamed “Rapid Robert” because he had the fastest fastball in the game, Feller is an all-time legend. He was regular AL-season leader in many categories during his illustrious career, including seven seasons at the top of the strikeout charts, four seasons with the most shutouts and three years with the most complete games.

Feller also was a major contributor to the Indians’ last World Series championship in 1948 and is the franchise leader in wins (266), innings pitched (3,827), strikeouts and complete games (279).

Colorado Rockies: Ubaldo Jimenez

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez throws to the plate against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010. Jack Dempsey / AP Photo

Experience: 12 seasons (2006-17)

Teams: Colorado Rockies (2006-11), Cleveland Indians (2011-13), Baltimore Orioles (2014-17)

Career stats: 315 GS, 114-117 (..494), 4.34 ERA, 1,870.0 IP, 1,720 K, 9 CG, 3 SHO

Rockies stats: 137 GS, 56-45 (.554), 3.66 ERA, 851.0 IP, 773 K, 8 CG, 3 SHO

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Ubaldo Jimenez had a lot of “firsts” and “onlys” with the Rockies. The 6-foot-5 right-hander from the Dominican was the team’s first and only homegrown ace, making his rookie debut in 2007 and helping Colorado reach its first and only World Series in franchise history.

Jimenez built on that success and had his best season in 2010, going 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA and 214 strikeouts. He also started the All-Star game and and threw the first and only no-hitter in Rockies history.

Jimenez was traded to the Indians in 2011 but remains a Rockies franchise leader in WAR for pitchers, walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP) and hits per nine innings.

Detroit Tigers: Hal Newhouser

Hal Newhouser won 207 games in his career, and 200 with the Tigers. AP Photo

Experience: 17 seasons (1939-55)

Teams: Detroit Tigers (1939-53), Cleveland Indians (1954-55)

Career stats: 374 GS, 207-150 (.580), 3.06 ERA, 2,993.0 IP, 1,796 K, 212 CG, 33 SHO

Tigers stats: 373 GS, 200-148 (.575), 3.07 ERA, 2,944.0 IP, 1,770 K, 212 CG, 33 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1945)

Bottom line: Perhaps Justin Verlander or Tommy Bridges could go here (or even Denny McLain, Mark Fidrych or Jack Morris), but Hal Newhouser’s stretch between 1944 and 1946 is impressive enough to put him at the top of the Tigers’ list.

Newhouser, who was 34-52 in his first four major league seasons through 1943, then went 80-27 with a 1.99 ERA over his next three, which included a World Series championship in 1945. During that 1945 season, the left-hander won the pitching Triple Crown, going 25-9 with a 1.81 ERA while recording 212 strikeouts.

For his efforts during that magical season, Newhouser was named American League MVP for the second consecutive season, a feat no other pitcher has ever achieved.

Houston Astros: Roy Oswalt

Houston Astros starter Roy Oswalt delivers a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds in 2010. Pat Sullivan / AP Photo

Experience: 13 seasons (2001-13)

Teams: Houston Astros (2001-10), Philadelphia Phillies (2010-11), Texas Rangers (2012), Colorado Rockies (2013)

Career stats: 341 GS, 163-102 (.615), 3.36 ERA, 2,245.1 IP, 1,852 K, 20 CG, 8 SHO

Astros stats: 291 GS, 143-82 (.636), 3.24 ERA, 1,932.1 IP, 1,852 K, 19 CG, 7 SHO

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Roy Oswalt was one of the most dominating pitchers in the majors for a decade. After starting his career as a reliever in 2001, Roy Oswalt joined Houston’s rotation in June and went 12-2 in 20 starts.

He then won 20 games in consecutive seasons (2004-05) and led the NL with a 2.98 ERA in 2006

The Mississippi native never won a World Series with the Astros, but he never lost a postseason start for Houston, either, going 4-0.

He finished his Astros career with 143 total wins, second on the team’s all-time list behind Joe Niekro, who won 144 games in Houston.

Kansas City Royals: Bret Saberhagen

Kansas City Royals pitcher Bret Saberhagen delivers a pitch Game 7 of the 1985 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Orlin Wagner / AP Photo

Experience: 16 seasons (1984-95, 1997-99, 2001)

Teams: Kansas City Royals (1984-91), New York Mets (1992-95), Colorado Rockies (1995), Boston Red Sox (1997-99, 2001)

Career stats: 371 GS, 167-117 (.588), 3.34 ERA, 2,562.2 IP, 1,715 K, 76 CG, 16 SHO

Royals stats: 226 GS, 110-78 (.585), 3.21 ERA, 1,660.1 IP, 1,093 K, 64 CG, 14 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1985)

Bottom line: Some players have a sophomore slump. Bret Saberhagen did the opposite. After a 10-11 rookie year in 1984, Saberhagen went 20-6 with a 2.87 ERA and won his first American League Cy Young Award.

Saberhagen, who also won the AL Cy Young in 1989, was the MVP of the 1985 World Series, going 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA to help the Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games and win the organization’s first championship.

Overall, he was 110-78 with a 3.21 ERA in his time with Kansas City.

Los Angeles Angels: Nolan Ryan

California Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan in 1975. AP Photo

Experience: 27 seasons (1966, 1968-93)

Teams: New York Mets (1966, 1968-71), California Angles (1972-79), Houston Astros (1980-88), Texas Rangers (1989-93)

Career stats: 773 GS, 324-292 (.526), 3.19 ERA, 5,386.0 IP, 5,714 K, 222 CG, 61 SHO

Angels stats: 288 GS, 138-121 (.533), 3.07 ERA, 2,181.1 IP, 2,416 K, 156 CG, 40 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1969)

Bottom line: A case could be made for Jered Weaver, Frank Tanana or Dean Chance, all worthy candidates. But Nolan Ryan made his original mark on the game with the California Angels.

Misused by the New York Mets for five years, the flamethrower found stardom with the Angels in 1972 when he posted the first of six 300-strikeout campaigns and won his first of 11 strikeout crowns. Over his eight-year term in Anaheim, Ryan led the majors seven times in strikeouts — with 300-plus in five of those years.

The highlight of those seasons was his 383 K’s in 1973 to beat Sandy Koufax’s all-time mark by one. Ryan also struck out 19 batters in a game four times. Four times.

In 1972, batters hit just .171 against Ryan — an all-time low. He threw four of his seven career no-hitters, and six one-hitters, for the Angels. Ryan’s seven career no-hitters are the most in MLB history, and he is the all-time leader with 5,714 strikeouts, 839 ahead of No. 2 Randy Johnson.

With the Angels, he averaged 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings, better than his career 9.5 K/9, which ranks No. 7 all-time in MLB history.

Ryan remains the Angels’ franchise leader in complete games (156), shutouts (40) and strikeouts (2,416). And the team retired his No. 30.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Sandy Koufax

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Sandy Koufax pitches against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of the 1966 World Series. AP Photo

Experience: 12 seasons, all with the Dodgers (1955-66)

Career stats: 314 GS, 165-87 (.655), 2.76 ERA, 2,324.1 IP, 2,396 K, 137 CG, 40 SHO

World Series titles: 3 (1959, 1963, 1965)

Bottom line: Sandy Koufax was one of the biggest — and best — big-game performers. Ever.

The left-hander was a three-time World Series champion with 0.95 career postseason ERA in eight World games. He also won two World Series MVPs.

Koufax tossed four career no-hitters and one perfect game, and posted ERAs under 2.00 three times. He won three Cy Youngs, one MVP Award, three pitching Triple Crowns and five ERA titles.

He retired in 1966, at the age of 30, an all-time baseball giant, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

Miami Marlins: Dontrelle Willis

Florida Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis throws against the Chicago Cubs in 2007. M. Spencer Green / AP Photo

Experience: 9 seasons (2003-11)

Teams: Florida Marlins (2003-07), Detroit Tigers (2008-10), Arizona Diamondbacks (2010), Cincinnati Reds (2011)

Career stats: 202 GS, 72-69 (.511), 4.17 ERA, 1,221.1 IP, 896 K, 15 CG, 8 SHO

Marlins stats: 162 GS, 68-54 (.557), 3.78 ERA, 1,022.2 IP, 757 K, 15 CG, 8 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (2003)

Bottom line: Dontrelle Willis started 162 games for the Marlins and won 41 percent of them, but it wasn’t enough.

The left-hander arrived in the majors at 21 in 2003 and started with a bang, posting a 14-6 record and 3.30 ERA to help the Marlins capture their second World Series title.

He won the winning the NL Rookie of the Year, then led the NL in wins (22), complete games (7) and shutouts (5) in 2005. He never reached those levels again.

The team traded him to the Tigers in 2007, and after leaving the Fish, Willis won just four games total over the rest of his major league career.

Milwaukee Brewers: Teddy Higuera

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig hugs Teddy Higuera during a Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor ceremony in 2014. Morry Gash / AP Photo

Experience: 9 seasons, all with the Brewers (1985-91, 1993-94)

Career stats: 205 GS, 94-64 (.595), 3.61 ERA, 1,380.0 IP, 1,081 K, 50 CG, 12 SHO

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: Teddy Higuera finished second in the 1986 Cy Young award voting, made an All-Star team, and became the second Mexican hurler to win 20 games in a season, as Fernando Valenzuela did with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the same year.

During Higuera’s time with the Brewers, the southpaw won 15 or more games in each of his first four seasons. He threw 15 complete games in 1986 and 14 in 1987 and led the league with a 0.999 WHIP in 1988. That year, despite a 16-9 record and a 2.45 ERA, he failed to make the All-Star Game or garner a vote for the Cy Young Award.

After that point, injuries derailed his career. He injured his back and sprained his ankle in 1989, and after one last season where he was healthy in 1990, Higuera tore his rotator cuff the following year.

The disappointing end does not diminish his brief moment of brilliance.

Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bert Blyleven pitches against the California Angels in 1987. Mark Avery / AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1970-90, 1992)

Teams: Minnesota Twins (1970-76, 1985-88), Texas Rangers (1976-77), Pittsburgh Pirates (1978-80), Cleveland Indians (1981-85), California Angels (1989-90, 1992)

Career stats: 685 GS, 287-250 (.534), 3.31 ERA, 4,970.0 IP, 3,701 K, 242 CG, 60 SHO

Twins stats: 345 GS, 149-138 (.519), 3.28 ERA, 2,566.2 IP, 2,035 K, 141 CG, 29 SHO

World Series titles: 2 (1979, 1987)

Bottom line: If we were to consider the Washington Senators’ original era, Walter Johnson would go here. Johan Santana, who had the most impressive season of any pitcher in Twins history with a 20-6 record and 265 strikeouts in 2004, also deserves consideration.

But Bert Blyleven wasn’t just good. He was one of the most underappreciated pitchers of all time.

A two-time All-Star in 22 seasons, Blyleven never led his league in ERA and only once earned the strikeout crown. However, he ranks 38th all-time with a 95.3 career WAR, and sits 11th on the career leaderboard with a 96.5 career WAR for pitchers.

Thanks in large part to a devastating curveball, Blyleven also ranks among the top 10 pitchers all-time with 60 career shutouts and is fifth all-time with 3,701 strikeouts.

New York Mets: Tom Seaver

New York Mets starting pitcher Tom Seaver pitches in of Game 1 of the 1969 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. AP Photo

Experience: 20 seasons (1967-86)

Teams: New York Mets (1967-77, 1983), Cincinnati Reds (1977-82), Chicago White Sox (1984-86), Boston Red Sox (1986)

Career stats: 647 GS, 311-205 (.603), 2.86 ERA, 4,783.0 IP, 3,640 K, 231 CG, 61 SHO

Mets stats: 395 GS, 198-124 (.615), 2.57 ERA, 3,045.2 IP, 2,541 K, 171 CG, 44 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1969)

Bottom line: Nicknamed “Tom Terrific,” the right-hander was the first Met to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was crucial in bringing the Mets, once the laughingstock of the league, their first World Series in 1969, going 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA.

He won the Cy Young after going 10-0 and 1.34 ERA down the stretch and was brilliant in a 10-inning complete game in Game 4 of the World Series against Baltimore.

From 1970 to 1977, Seaver lived up to his nickname. He won two more Cy Young awards, in 1973 and 1975, and led the National League in ERA three times, including posting a career-best 1.76 in 1971.

He also led the NL in strikeouts five times, with a high of 289 K’s in 1971, and won 20 or more games three more times.

He finished his Mets career with 171 complete games and 44 shutouts.

New York Yankees: Whitey Ford

New York Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford delivers in Game 6 of the World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh. AP Photo

Experience: 16 seasons, all with the Yankees (1950, 1953-67)

Career stats: 438 GS, 236-106 (.690), 2.75 ERA, 3,170.1 IP, 1,956 K, 156 CG, 45 SHO

World Series titles: 6 (1950, 1953, 1956, 1961, 1962)

Bottom line: Edward Charles “Whitey” Ford is more than just the best starting pitcher in Yankees history. He’s one of the best ever.

His numbers speak for themselves. During his career, which lasted from 1950 to 66 (excluding the 1951 and 1952 seasons, due to his service in the Korean War), Ford was the best pitcher in the world.

The left-hander played in 11 World Series (the Yankees won six) and went 10-8 with a 2.71 ERA in 22 starts. He won a league-leading 25 games in 1961 and led the league in wins two more times (1955, 1963). He also led the league in ERA (1956, 1958) and complete games (1961, 1963).

Ford ranks first in Yankees history in wins (236), innings pitched (3170.1), games started (tied with Andy Pettitte with 438), shutouts (45) and was sixth in complete games (156).

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

Oakland Athletics: Lefty Grove

Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Lefty Grove in 1938. AP Photo

Experience: 17 seasons (1925-41)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1925-33), Boston Red Sox (1934-41)

Career stats: 457 GS, 300-141 (.680), 3.06 ERA, 3,940.2 IP, 2,266 K, 298 CG, 35 SHO

A’s stats: 267 GS, 195-79 (.712), 2.88 ERA, 2,401.0 IP, 1,523 K, 179 CG, 20 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1969)

Bottom line: Few left-handed pitchers in baseball history were as dominant as Robert Moses “Lefty” Grove.

As a young star with the Philadelphia Athletics, Grove led the American League in strikeouts in each of his first seven big league seasons, and won five ERA titles in his first eight years with the club. He won four more ERA crowns with the Boston Red Sox.

In 1931, Grove’s greatest individual season, the Hall of Famer went 31-4 (27 complete games) with a career-best 2.06 ERA to earn AL MVP honors. And he notched five saves to boot. He won the pitching Triple Crown for the second time, and also led the A’s to the World Series for the third consecutive season. However, the team fell short of a third straight world championship despite Grove’s 2-1 record and 2.42 ERA in 26 innings against the Cardinals.

From 1928 to 1933, Grove was 152-41, and had an ERA under 3.00 in five of those seasons during a hitters’ era.

Philadelphia Phillies: Steve Carlton

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Steve Carlton pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in 1972. Bill Ingraham / AP Photo

Experience: 24 seasons (1965-88)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1965-71), Philadelphia Phillies (1972-86), San Francisco Giants (1986), Chicago White Sox (1986), Cleveland Indians (1987), Minnesota Twins (1987-88)

Career stats: 709 GS, 329-244 (.574), 3.22 ERA, 5,217.2 IP, 4,136 K, 254 CG, 55 SHO

Phillies stats: 499 GS, 241-161 (.600), 3.09 ERA, 3,697.1 IP, 3,031 K, 185 CG, 39 SHO

World Series titles: 2 (1967, 1980)

Bottom line: Steve Carlton made his mark early in Philadelphia, recording a National League-leading 27 wins, 1.97 ERA, 30 complete games and 310 strikeouts in 1972. All the more remarkable, he did so on a team that won only 59 games.

Carlton led the league in wins four times with the Phillies, was a seven-time All-Star, four-time Cy Young winner and five-time strikeout leader.

When he retired, he ranked first in Phillies history in wins (241) and strikeouts (3,031). Most importantly, though, he went 3-0 in four postseason starts during the Phillies’ successful quest for their first world title, highlighted by a 159-pitch performance in Game 2 of the 1980 World Series against Kansas City.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Babe Adams

Babe Adams with the Pirates. Library of Congress

Experience: 19 seasons (1906-07, 1909-16, 1918-26)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1906), Pittsburgh Pirates (1907, 1909-16, 1918-26)

Career stats: 354 GS, 194-140 (.581), 2.76 ERA, 2,995.1 IP, 1,036 K, 205 CG, 44 SHO

Pirates stats: 353 GS, 194-139 (.583), 2.74 ERA, 2,991.1 IP, 1,036 K, 205 CG, 44 SHO

World Series titles: 2 (1909, 1925)

Bottom line: For such a storied franchise, the Pirates are lacking in incredible starting pitchers.

Babe Adams is best known by diehard baseball fans for starting and winning three games against the Detroit Tigers as a rookie in the 1909 World Series. Adams started Games 1, 5, and 7. His Game 7 start came on just two days’ rest, and he pitched a complete game shutout. In his three starts, he held Tigers star Ty Cobb to just one hit in 11 at-bats.

Throughout Adams’ career, the right-hander walked just 1.3 batters per nine innings in nearly 3,000 innings pitched. According to Baseball Reference, only two pitchers since 1901 walked fewer hitters per nine innings —Cy Young and Deacon Phillippe (an Adams teammate).

San Diego Padres: Jake Peavy

San Diego Padres starter Jake Peavy follows through on a pitch against the New York Mets in 2002. Ron Frehm / AP Photo

Experience: 15 seasons (2002-16)

Teams: San Diego Padres (2002-09), Chicago White Sox (2009-13), Boston Red Sox (2013-14), San Francisco Giants (2014-16)

Career stats: 377 GS, 152-126 (.547), 3.63 ERA, 2,377.0 IP, 2,207 K, 15 CG, 6 SHO

Padres stats: 212 GS, 92-68 (.575), 3.29 ERA, 1,342.2 IP, 1,304 K, 7 CG, 3 SHO

World Series titles: 2 (2013, 2014)

Bottom line: Jake Peavy started strong after making his major league debut as a 21-year-old in 2001.

From 2002 to 2008, he won 10 or more games, and in 2007, he took home the National League Cy Young Award after completing the pitching Triple Crown, leading the NL with 19 wins, 240 strikeouts, and a 2.54 ERA.

The 2007 season included a 16-strikeout performance against Arizona on April 25 in which he cut down nine straight Diamondbacks on strikes, falling just one short of Tom Seaver’s all-time record.

San Francisco Giants: Christy Mathewson

New York Giants pitcher Christy Mathewson circa 1910. AP Photo

Experience: 17 seasons (1900-16)

Teams: New York Giants (1900-16), Cincinnati Reds (1916)

Career stats: 552 GS, 373-188 (.665), 2.13 ERA, 4,788.2 IP, 2,507 K, 435 CG, 79 SHO

Giants stats: 551 GS, 372-188 (.664), 2.12 ERA, 4779.2 IP, 2,504 K, 434 CG, 79 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1905)

Bottom line: Christy Mathewson benefited from playing in the dead-ball era, but he still ranks third all-time in wins (373) and shutouts (79), and remains in the top 10 in WHIP (1.058, No. 7) and ERA (2.13, No. 9).

A star, Mathewson led the National League in ERA five times and also posted an ERA under 2.00 five times (each while pitching at least 275 innings). He also led the league in strikeouts five times and won the NL pitching Triple Crown twice.

In 1908, as a 27-year-old, the right-hander posted a 37-11 record with a 1.43 ERA in 56 appearances (44 starts), including 34 complete games, 11 shutouts and five saves — all of which led the National League.

In an interesting piece of baseball trivia, Mathewson pitched all but one of his 636 career games for the New York Giants. At the age of 35, Mathewson was traded to Cincinnati and made one start for the Reds, a complete -game victory in which he allowed eight earned runs.

Seattle Mariners: Randy Johnson

Randy Johnson pitched the Mariners’ first no-hitter, holding the Detroit Tigers hitless in 1990. Duncan Livingston / AP Photo

Experience: 22 seasons (1988-2009)

Teams: Montreal Expos (1988-89), Seattle Mariners (1989-98), Houston Astros (1998), Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004, 2007-08), New York Yankees (2005-06), San Francisco Giants (2009)

Career stats: 603 GS, 303-166 (.646), 3.29 ERA, 4,135.1 IP, 4,875 K, 100 CG, 37 SHO

Mariners stats: 266 GS, 130-74 (.637), 3.42 ERA, 1,831.1 IP, 2,162 K, 51 CG, 19 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (2001)

Bottom line: Felix Hernandez or Randy Johnson? One could debate between these two for the title of best pitcher in Mariners history but no one was more intimidating, dominating and, for a few years, exciting than the “Big Unit” during his days with the M’s.

Once Johnson mastered a hard slider to go with his blazing fastball, the strikeouts increased, the earned run averages shrank and the wins began piling up.

From 1993 to 1997, Johnson was 75-20, led the AL three times in strikeouts, including 308 K’s in 1993. He won an ERA title with a 2.48 mark in 1995, to go with an 18-2 record, and won his first Cy Young Award. In 1997, he won 20 games for the first time.

Johnson averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings as a Mariner (by comparison, Hernandez has averaged 8.4). Johnson also pitched the first no-hitter in team history, and got the two biggest wins in team history, going all the way to beat the Angels in the one-game playoff in 1995 and then getting the win in relief in Game 5 against the Yankees.

St. Louis Cardinals: Bob Gibson

St. Louis Cardinals ace pitcher Bob Gibson fires the ball at Detroit Tigers Norm Cash in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series. AP Photo

Experience: 17 seasons, all with the Cardinals (1959-75)

Career stats: 482 GS, 251-174 (.591), 2.91 ERA, 3,884.1 IP, 3,117 K, 255 CG, 56 SHO

World Series titles: 2 (1964, 1967)

Bottom line: How dominant was Bob Gibson?

Many believe the mound was lowered in 1969 after Gibson, who came to the Cardinals via a stint with basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters, set a modern-era record with a 1.12 ERA during the 1968 season.

He posted a 22-9 record that year and also led the NL in strikeouts (268), ERA+ (258), FIP (1.77), WHIP (0.853) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.8). The performance earned Gibson NL MVP honors and his first of two Cy Young Awards.

Gibson’s postseason in 1968 was just as brilliant and included 17 strikeouts in Game 1 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers, who beat the Cardinals in seven games.

Overall, Gibson, who won MVPs in the 1964 and 1967 Fall Classics (both won by St. Louis), started nine postseason games — finishing eight of them — with a 7-2 record and 1.89 ERA.

Tampa Bay Rays: Blake Snell

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell throws against the Detroit Tigers in 2019. Carlos Osorio / AP Photo

Experience: 4 seasons, all with the Rays (2016-present)

Career stats: 90 GS, 36-27 (.571), 3.29 ERA, 478 IP, 543 K, 0 CG, 0 SHO

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: It was a toss-up between David Price (who won the American League Cy Young with Tampa Bay in 2012) and Blake Snell. But considering the Rays recently inked Snell to a five-year, $50 million extension and Price is pitching in Boston, Snell gets the call.

Snell’s dominance in 2018 helped him win the club’s second Cy Young. He finished first in wins (21), ERA (1.89) and hits allowed per nine innings (5.6). He also struck out 221 in 180.2 innings.

The best part for Tampa Bay? Snell doesn’t turn 30 until 2022.

Texas Rangers: Kevin Brown

Kevin Brown played eight seasons with the Rangers. Amazon

Experience: 19 seasons (1986, 1988-2005)

Teams: Texas Rangers (1986, 1988-94), Baltimore Orioles (1995), Florida Marlines (1996-97), San Diego Padres (1998), Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2003), New York Yankees (2004-05)

Career stats: 476 GS, 211-144 (.594), 3.28 ERA, 3,256.1 IP, 2,397 K, 72 CG, 17 SHO

Rangers stats: 186 GS, 78-64 (.549), 3.81 ERA, 1,278.2 IP, 742 K, 40 CG, 6 SHO

World Series titles: 1 (1997)

Bottom line: The Rangers had other great starting pitchers (see: Nolan Ryan, Charlie Hough, Kenny Rogers and Fergie Jenkins), but Kevin Brown is the all-time ace.

Brown led the Rangers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1992, he led the American League with 21 wins and 265.2 innings, while posting a 3.32 ERA, and started for the AL in that year’s All-Star Game.

He never won 20 games again in his career but finished his Rangers days with 40 complete games.

Toronto Blue Jays: Roger Clemens

Roger Clemens made 67 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays. Beth Keiser / AP Photo

Experience: 24 seasons (1984-2007)

Teams: Boston Red Sox (1984-2006), Toronto Blue Jays (1997-98), New York Yankees (1999-2003, 2007), Houston Astros (2004-06)

Career stats: 707 GS, 354-184 (.658), 3.12 ERA, 4,916.2 IP, 4,672 K, 118 CG, 46 SHO

Blue Jays stats: 41-13, 2.33 ERA, 563 K

World Series titles: 2 (1999, 2000)

Bottom line: Sure, Dave Stieb (15 years) and Roy Halladay (12 years) spent a majority of their careers with the Blue Jays and are worthy candidates as the best Toronto starter of all time. Roger Clemens, however, had his two best seasons with the Blue Jays.

In 1997, he pitched 264 innings and finished first in the American League in strikeouts (292), ERA (2.05), complete games (9), and wins (21). He also surrendered only nine home runs that season and was worth 11.9 wins above the replacement player, the highest single-season WAR number of his career. For the effort, Clemens won the American League Cy Young Award.

In 1998, he led the league again in wins with 20 and ERA at 2.65.

Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer celebrates after his no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015. Alex Brandon / AP Photo

Experience: 12 seasons (2008-present)

Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks (2008-09), Detroit Tigers (2010-14), Washington Nationals (2015-present)

Career stats: 334 GS, 160-85 (.653), 3.24 ERA, 2,150.0 IP, 2,493 K, 10 CG, 5 SHO

Nationals stats: 136 GS, 69-35 (.663), 2.77 ERA, 910.2 IP, 1,172 K, 9 CG, 4 SHO

World Series titles: None

Bottom line: In a short amount of time, Max Scherzer has established himself as the greatest pitcher in the Nationals’ organization, which was established in 2005 after the relocation of the original Montreal Expos franchise.

Before signing with the Nationals as a free agent in 2015, Scherzer was brilliant with the Tigers, becoming became the third pitcher to start a season with a 19–1 win–loss record, on the way to winning his first Cy Young Award in 2013.

He’s won two Cy Youngs with the Nationals. In 2015, he became the sixth pitcher in major league history to record multiple no-hitters in a single season, including the first with at least 17 strikeouts and no bases on balls. He also tied the major league nine-inning strikeout record with 20, making him the second player to achieve both a no-hitter and 20 strikeouts over nine innings.

In 2017, he became the third-fastest hurler to record 2,000 strikeouts and the fourth to strike out 250 or more in four consecutive seasons. If Scherzer maintains this kind of historic pace, Cooperstown will be calling when he calls it a career.