San Francisco Giants' Justin Verlander Falling Victim to Historic Bad Luck in 2025

Justin Verlander hasn't had his best stuff so far in 2025, but the San Francisco Giants veteran stands alone in the history books with 67 strikeouts and zero wins entering the All-Star break.

San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Oracle Park. | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Justin Verlander has made nine trips to the All-Star Game over the course of his storied 20-year MLB career, but the future Hall of Famer did not punch his ticket to Atlanta this summer.

The 42-year-old right-hander has been putting up some of the worst numbers of his career, posting a 4.70 ERA, 1.422 WHIP and -0.5 WAR through 15 starts. Still, Verlander has managed to rack up 67 strikeouts while averaging 5.1 innings per outing.

Verlander showed flashes of his former self Wednesday, striking out seven in 6.0 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. Two of the four runs he allowed were unearned, so Verlander got credit for his sixth quality start of the season.

And yet, the Giants' offense provided no run support and Verlander was saddled with the loss. The Phillies went on to win 11-0.

Verlander is now 0-7 on the season. San Francisco has lost each of Verlander's last five starts, as well as all six of his quality starts, totaling a 4-11 record when he takes the mound.

According to OptaSTATS, there have been 4,200 starting pitchers who have entered the All-Star break with at least 65 strikeouts since the All-Star Game was established in 1933. Verlander is the only one who went into the break without a win.

There have been over 4,200 instances of an MLB pitcher having at least 65 strikeouts as a starter prior to the All-Star break since the first All-Star Game in 1933.

Of those pitchers, only one entered the break without a win.

That one pitcher is Justin Verlander in 2025. pic.twitter.com/jkw3K57foe

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 10, 2025

Verlander has 262 career wins to his name, which leads all active pitchers and ranks 24th in the live ball era. He is still four wins behind Bob Feller on that list, having not added to his total since last September.

Related MLB Stories

• ACUÑA MOVES UP LIST: Ronald Acuña Jr. went yard twice against the Athletics on Wednesday, marking the 14th time that he has given the Atlanta Braves multiple home runs out of the leadoff spot in his career. CLICK HERE

• GIOLITO HEATING UP: Lucas Giolito tossed 6.0 scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, earning a spot in the Boston Red Sox's history books in the process. CLICK HERE

• WILLIAMS SET FOR SURGERY: Trevor Williams struggled in the first half of the 2025 season, going 3-10 in 17 starts with the Washington Nationals before he suffered an elbow injury. CLICK HERE

Follow Fastball On SI on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.