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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 4: Justin Verlander #35 of the San Francisco Giants pitches on Opening Day at Oracle Park on April 4, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 4: Justin Verlander #35 of the San Francisco Giants pitches on Opening Day at Oracle Park on April 4, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)
The wait continues for Justin Verlander, and it’s getting longer and more frustrating than anyone could have imagined. Sunday was yet another day of the Giants faltering, and this time against the struggling White Sox. The result? Verlander was once again left searching for the one thing that has eluded him all season – a win. Now 12 starts into his 2025 campaign, the 42-year-old remains winless at 0-5.
Sitting at 262 career wins, Verlander needs 38 more to become the 25th player in MLB history to reach the 300-win mark, and the first to do so since Randy Johnson in 2009. Now, that goal is what continues to drive him, even at an age when most pitchers hang up their cleats.
As losses pile up and opportunities slip away, Verlander’s frustration is beginning to show. “Yeah, it sure is [frustrating],” the veteran said in the post-game presser. “You know, I think, uh … Yeah, that is frustrating. Yes,” he further added.
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Source: MLB.com
Verlander seemed to be more frustrated about how the game against the White Sox ended. At one point, the Giants were leading. But things went for a toss after the sixth innings.
The game started with Verlander’s heroics. In his 12th start of the 2025 season, he struck out three, walked two, and gave up just one earned run on five hits. But once again, the win slipped through his fingers. The Giants just couldn’t get it done at the plate, going a rough 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
As it stands right now, Verlander stays stuck with 262 career wins, the same number he started the season with. And with how things are going, his pursuit looks more in jeopardy!
For the unversed, only 24 pitchers in MLB history have ever reached the 300-win club, and with each passing opportunity, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Verlander to join them. Verlander, however, already has a decorated career CV, as he is the 3x Cy Young winner, 1x MVP, 2x World Series champ and 9x All-Star.
The Giants, in the meantime, just keep spiraling downwards.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Justin Verlander's pursuit of 300 wins a lost cause, or can he still make history?
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The Giants’ downfall continues
In the last six games, the Giants have lost 5, including a clean sweep by the Marlins. They have now slipped to no. 3 in the NL West and the hopes for October seem to be fading fast. But who to blame? Well, their offense!
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The team is currently ranked 25th in terms of batting average (.231) and 20th in terms of total runs (347). Now, that tells everything. Post Rafal Devers’ induction, fans were hopeful, but it hasn’t made a major difference.
Since the start of June, things have been rough for the Giants’ offense. With another loss in the third game of the Padres series, the team extended its streak of scoring four or fewer runs to 15 straight games. And that’s their longest such stretch since 1965.
Moreover, even before June, the Giants had already been shut out seven times. Overall, in 40 of their games this season, they have scored four or fewer runs. That’s more than half their games falling below the league’s average of 4.31 runs per game.
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Now that the team has slipped to third in the NL West standings, time is ticking. If the Giants can go big post the All-Star break, a dream for postseason can still be achieved. Else, it’s curtains!
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Is Justin Verlander's pursuit of 300 wins a lost cause, or can he still make history?