May 10, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia (52) pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
CC Sabathia moves into top 30 on the all-time strikeout list
There’s a chance CC Sabathia has nothing left in the tank. An ERA above 4.00 in 2013 and one above 5.00 in 2014 have marked what might be the final days of a once great pitcher. However, even with the surplus runs allowed, Sabathia has continued to strike out batters. He’s the active leader with 2,437 punchouts and is likely to get into the top thirty on the all-time list in 2015.
Getting into the top 30 would knock Christy Mathewson down one position and out. Mathewson had 2,507 career strikeouts, which means Sabathia needs only 71 in 2015 to pass him. If Sabathia strikes out 150 batters he gets into the top 25 while passing both Bob Feller and Warren Spahn. This is very possible and will only take innings and his usual strikeout rate to get there.