Justin Verlander Knows It Is An Uphill Climb To Reach 300-Win Club

San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander (35) sits in the dugout in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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Jason Verlander knows his climb to 300 career wins is getting steeper with each outing.

The milestone may be out of reach for the San Francisco Giants right-hander. His record is 1-8 with less than two months to go in the season, leaving the 42-year-old with 263 lifetime wins.

Verlander would like to play three more seasons until he turns 35. However, he needs 37 wins to get to 300.

Verlander Has Uncharacteristic Record

Verlander acknowledges that it is difficult to look at the stat sheet and see a 1-8 record through 19 starts, especially since he is likely to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Verlander has won three American League Cy Young Awards, was the AL MVP in 2011, and is a nine-time All-Star.

“Look, I mean I don’t shy away (from his record) because it’s like everyone knows where I’m at,” Verlander said. “Wins-wise, I’d like to get some, but at the same time, I think you just control what you can control. It’s a (bad) run in a long career.

“There’s nothing you can do about it. Just try to pitch better consistently and keep us in ballgames and give us a chance to win, give myself a chance to win, and do that more times than not, and see where things end up.”

Giants Haven’t Supported Verlander

Verlander hasn’t pitched terribly, as his 4.29 ERA translates to a 90 ERA+, placing him 10 percent below the MLB average. However, he also hasn’t been dominant, allowing 102 hits in 94 1/3 innings with 81 strikeouts and 35 walks.

Regardless, Verlander should have more than one win. He has made 10 starts in which he has at least five innings and allowed two runs or fewer, but the Giants are 1-9 in those games.

Verlander has looked like his old self in his last three starts, going 1-0 with a 0.60 ERA. Included in that stretch was Verlander’s lone win on July 23 against the Braves in Atlanta.

“Here recently has probably been his best work, and to have better velocity at this time of the year is impressive because most pitchers tend to lose a little off their fastball later in the season,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “It’s a credit to him that he kind of keeps tinkering and working on things. He’s always trying to get better.

“We haven’t given him much run support, and he’s really a little bit unlucky as far as wins and losses go, but I think he’s been very good lately.”

Giants’ Postseason Hopes Are Slim

Yet it is likely not good enough to get the Giants into the postseason.

Although the Giants went 4-2 on a road trip that concluded on Wednesday, it followed a 0-6 homestand. Since moving to a season-high 12 games over .500 on June 13, they have gone 17-28, falling to 56-55. That leaves the Giants eight games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and five games out of the last wild card berth.

There seemed to be a chance that Verlander might get moved before the MLB trade deadline on July 31. Instead, the Giants decided to keep Verlander after signing him to a one-year, $15-million contract in the offseason as a free agent.

While the Giants’ playoff hopes have dimmed and Verlander is seemingly in the twilight of his career, he continues to look for ways to improve.

“I’ve made a few adjustments, kind of scooted over (to the third base side) of the rubber,” Verlander said. “I’ve always been a little bit of a tinkerer with some timing staff. I do feel like things have kind of started to sink in.

“It’s never easy when you’re facing the best hitters in the world. It’s extremely difficult. But at least my last couple of starts have been better. I’m moving in the right direction.”