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Stretch-run aces: 5 pitchers who carried September on their shoulders
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- Stretch-run aces: 5 pitchers who carried September on their shoulders
When baseball reaches September, the pressure cranks up fast. Every single game counts. One poor night can kill a team's playoff hopes, while one great start can save a whole season.
Over the years, a few starting pitchers have really taken that weight on their shoulders. They didn't just throw well, they carried their teams. Among them, some pitched with barely any rest between games, and some went out and finished games on their own instead of handing the ball to the bullpen.
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For these guys, keeping the score close wasn't good enough. Their teams desperately needed wins, so every pitch and every run felt massive.
A few were newly traded stars trying to prove themselves right away, whereas franchise aces simply took control like they always do late in the year. You can look at the stats, but the real story is how they stepped up when their teams needed them most.
5. Justin Verlander, 2017 Houston Astros
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
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Justin Verlander joined Houston just seconds before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline. The Astros needed help in their rotation, and the veteran quickly showed why he was worth the move.
In September, Verlander made five starts and went 5-0. He posted a 1.06 ERA with 43 strikeouts and only five walks across 34 innings.
Houston also dealt with the effects of Hurricane Harvey. The rotation needed stability during a difficult period. Verlander gave the team exactly that.
His ability to work deep into games also gave Houston a reliable ace heading into October. The Astros eventually won the World Series, while Verlander earned ALCS MVP honors.
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4. Rick Sutcliffe, 1984 Chicago Cubs
Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe stands on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Rick Sutcliffe arrived in Chicago in mid-June after being acquired from Cleveland. The Cubs had not reached the postseason since 1945, so the pressure around the team was enormous.
Over 20 starts, Sutcliffe went 16-1 with a 2.69 ERA. He threw 150 1/3 innings and completed seven games.
At one point, he won 14 straight decisions. His workload gave the Cubs a dependable arm almost every time he took the mound.
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The impact was impossible to ignore. Chicago changed from a team stuck outside the postseason picture into a playoff team. Sutcliffe's second-half dominance also played a major role in his unanimous 1984 NL Cy Young Award, despite spending only half the season in the league.
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3. Randy Johnson, 1998 Houston Astros
Randy Johnson is honored during the Seattle Mariners 50 Seasons Celebration Ceremony before the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park. Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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Randy Johnson's 1998 season changed completely after his trade from Seattle to Houston. Before the move, he was 9-10 with a 4.33 ERA.
The Big Unit quickly found another gear with the Astros. In 11 starts, he went 10-1 with a 1.28 ERA. Johnson also racked up 116 strikeouts in 84 1/3 innings.
Four of those starts ended with complete games, all shutouts. He allowed just 12 earned runs during the stretch.
His strikeout rate was just as impressive. Johnson averaged 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings after joining Houston.
That late-season run helped turn the Astros into a major National League force. Houston finished with 102 wins, and Johnson was a major reason the team became so dangerous.
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2. Orel Hershiser, 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers
Orel Hershiser throws the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays during game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Orel Hershiser's finish in 1988 is hard to wrap your head around.
In September, he took the mound six times, threw 55 innings and didn't give up a single run. Five of those games were shutouts. The only game he didn't win was the season finale, where he threw 10 scoreless innings before the game dragged on for 16. Opponents could barely touch him, scraping together just a .155 batting average as he gave up only nine walks the entire month.
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Los Angeles leaned on him completely down the stretch, and he responded by breaking Don Drysdale's legendary record with 59 straight scoreless innings, a mark that still stands today.
His September form carried into October, leading the Dodgers to a championship and taking home NLCS and World Series MVP honors.
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1. CC Sabathia, 2008 Milwaukee Brewers
Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia heads to the mound to throw a ceremonial first pitch before their game against the New York Yankees. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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CC Sabathia's 2008 run feels different because of both his numbers and his workload.
After joining Milwaukee in a July trade, he became the clear leader of the Brewers' rotation. Across 17 starts, Sabathia went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA and a remarkable 255 ERA+.
He threw 130 2/3 innings during the run. Seven starts ended in complete games, including three shutouts.
Milwaukee had not reached the postseason in 26 years. Sabathia understood what was at stake and took on an enormous workload to help end that drought.
For his final three regular-season starts, he volunteered to work on only three days' rest. That showed just how much the Brewers trusted his arm.
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In the regular-season finale against the Cubs, Sabathia delivered again. He threw a complete game and helped Milwaukee secure the NL wild card.
The numbers were historic, but the situation made the performance even more impressive. Sabathia was not simply putting together a great stretch. He was carrying a franchise that desperately needed October baseball.
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