Greatest MLB Postseason Pitchers in History

These are the pitchers you want on the mound for big, MLB postseason moments . . .

The Greatest MLB Postseason Pitchers in History

A great team can’t have enough dependable players, so we’ve added a new metric for this list of the best postseason pitchers. It’s called Championship Win Probability Added (CWPA), which measures the impact of a player on his team’s chances to win a World Series championship. We’re not too hung up on metrics, though, so we’ll stop there. Our methodology includes the old reliables — the eye test, career postseason statistics, all-time rankings and World Series titles.

To be eligible, starters had to pitch a minimum of 75 innings in the post-expansion era or 50 in pre-expansion times — but we haven’t forgotten you, Harry Brecheen, Bruce Kison, Tim Lincecum, Mickey Lolich and Monte Pearson. Relievers were required to pitch at least 30 innings.

Also, candidates had to have at least one World Series ring, but it couldn't be stolen, borrowed or bought. With all this in mind, here are the greatest postseason pitchers in MLB history.

46. Cole Hamels

Career: 15 seasons (2006-20)

Teams: Philadelphia Phillies (2006-15), Texas Rangers (2015-18), Chicago Cubs (2018-19), Atlanta Braves (2020)

World Series championships: 1 (2008)

Postseason statistics: 17/7-6/3.41/0

Win probability: 0.93

Bottom Line: Cole Hamels

Hamels was so drop-dead good in the 2008 postseason, not even Phillies fans could find a reason to complain about it. The World Series Most Valuable Player won at least one game in each of the three series.

A clunker in his final postseason start skews the number somewhat.

45. Jack Morris

Career: 18 seasons (1977-94)

Teams: Detroit Tigers (1977-90), Minnesota Twins (1991), Toronto Blue Jays (1992-93), Cleveland Indians (1994)

World Series championships: 3 (1984, 1991-92)

Postseason statistics: 13/7-4/3.80/0

Win probability: 0.88

Bottom Line: Jack Morris

Morris faded badly after his epic 1-0 shutout in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series — he was 36 at the time — but his legend had already been set in stone by then.

He was the Most Valuable Player of the ’91 Fall Classic, and not for co-conspirator Alan Trammell, he would have been the pick in 1984 as well.

44. Chris Carpenter

Career: 19 seasons (1989-2007)

Teams: Toronto Blue Jays (1997-2002), St. Louis Cardinals (2004-12)

World Series championships: 2 (2006, 2011)

Postseason statistics: 18/10-4/3.00/0

Win probability: 1.03

Bottom Line: Chris Carpenter

Carpenter had a few hiccups in NLCS play, but if the plan is to start fast and finish strong, then the right-hander executed it about as well as anyone.

He turned in an 8-1 record in 11 NLDS and World Series starts.

43. John Lackey

Career: 15 seasons (2002-17)

Teams: Anaheim-Los Angeles Angels (2002-09), Boston Red Sox (2010-11, 2013-14), St. Louis Cardinals (2014-15), Chicago Cubs (2016-17)

World Series championships: 3 (2002, 2013, 2016)

Postseason statistics: 29/8-6/3.44/0

Win probability: 1.38

Bottom Line: John Lackey

On our list of Best Postseason Pitchers Who Looked the Part, Lackey ranks among the top 10. Easy.

As his former manager Joe Maddon put it, “When he gets upset or the histrionics or gesticulations or whatever, that’s John. But he’s always been that dude. And if you’re his teammate, you absolutely love him. He’s got the biggest heart in the world.”

42. Kenley Jansen

Career: 12 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (2010-present)

World Series championships: 1 (2020)

Postseason statistics: 56/3-2/2.17/19

Win probability: 1.32

Bottom Line: Kenley Jansen

Jansen has been no great shakes in the Fall Classic, but the guy has been lights out in every series before then — 3-0 record and 1.50 earned run average.

He’s the all-time National League postseason saves leader and ranks second overall.

41. Dave Stewart

Career: 16 seasons (1978, 1981-1995)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (1978, 1981-83), Texas Rangers (1983-85), Philadelphia Phillies (1985-86), Oakland Athletics (1986-92, 1995), Toronto Blue Jays (1993-94)

World Series championships: 2 (2006, 2011)

Postseason statistics: 22/10-6/2.84/0

Win probability: 1.45

Bottom Line: Dave Stewart

It wasn’t until Stewart became a full-time starter at age 30 that he found himself. Boy, did he ever.

The hyper-competitive right-hander was the Most Valuable Player in three series — the 1989 Fall Classic as well as the 1990 and 1993 ALCS.

40. Tom Glavine

Career: 22 seasons (1987-2008)

Teams: Atlanta Braves (1987-2002, 2008), New York Mets (2003-07)

World Series championships: 1 (1995)

Postseason statistics: 35/14-16/3.30/0

Win probability: 2.40

Bottom Line: Tom Glavine

The XL-sized strikes zones of Glavine and co-conspirator Greg Maddux didn’t translate as well in the second season. That said, the 1995 World Series Most Valuable Player pitched better than his postseason record.

His co-conspirators scored three runs or less in 12 of his 16 starts.

39. Tug McGraw

Associated Press Sports Florida United States Professional Baseball (National League) TUG MCGRAW 1971

Career: 19 seasons (196567, 1969–84)

Teams: New York Mets (1965-67, 1969-74), Philadelphia Phillies (1975-84)

World Series championships: 2 (1969, 1980)

Postseason statistics: 26/3-3/2.24/8

Win probability: 1.28

Bottom Line: Tug McGraw

Postseason consistency, thy name was Frank Edwin McGraw. The screwball lefty had no worse than a 2.67 earned run average in any of the three series.

He could pitch as many as three innings effectively (five saves of more than one inning) and kept the ball in the park (one home run allowed).

38. Roger Clemens

Career: 24 seasons (1984-2007)

Teams: Boston Red Sox (1984-96), Toronto Blue Jays (1997-98), New York Yankees (1999-2003, 2007), Houston Astros (2004-06)

World Series championships: 2 (1999-2000)

Postseason statistics: 35/12-8/3.75/0

Win probability: 2.50

Bottom Line: Roger Clemens

It’s fair to say that Clemens was a considerable postseason disappointment in his Red Sawx days. Then, The Rocket took off as a Yankee in his mid-30s.

In the 1999-2001 seasons, the pin-stripers won eight consecutive starts with him on the mound.

37. Andy Pettitte

Career: 18 seasons (1995-2010, 2012-13)

Teams: New York Yankees (1995-2003, 2007-10, 2012-13), Houston Astros (2004-06)

World Series championships: 5 (1996, 1998-2000, 2009)

Postseason statistics: 27/19-11/3.81/0

Win probability: 1.59

Bottom Line: Andy Pettitte

There was a time when the World Series wasn’t official unless Pettitte pitched in it.

He’s the all-time leader in games started (44), victories (19) and innings pitched (276 2/3).

36. David Wells

Career: 16 seasons (2005-20)

Teams: Toronto Blue Jays (1987-92, 1992-2000), (1993-95), Cincinnati Reds (1995), Baltimore Orioles (1996), New York Yankees (1997-98, 2002-03), Chicago White Sox (2001), San Diego Padres (2004), Boston Red Sox (2005-2006), Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-07)

World Series championships: 2 (1992, 1998)

Postseason statistics: 27/10-5/3.17/0

Win probability: 1.59

Bottom Line: David Wells

Wherever the GPS took Wells in a well-traveled career, his rep as a big-game pitcher went with him.

Not many guys can say they started and won postseason games with seven different teams.

35. Pedro Martinez

Career: 18 seasons (1992-2009)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-93), Montreal Expos (1994-97), Boston Red Sox (1998-2004), New York Mets (2005-2008), Philadelphia Phillies (2009)

World Series championships: 1 (2017)

Postseason statistics: 16/6-4/3.46/0

Win probability: 1.23

Bottom Line: Pedro Martinez

Do you think Martinez was kidding when he famously referred to the New York Yankees as “my daddy”?

Seventeen earned runs in 24.33 innings in his four worst starts versus the Yankees is pretty rough. Otherwise, the guy was legit.

34. Justin Verlander

Career: 16 seasons (2005-20)

Teams: Detroit Tigers (2005-17), Houston Astros (2017-20)

World Series championships: 1 (2017)

Postseason statistics: 31/14-11/3.40/0

Win probability: 2.40

Bottom Line: Justin Verlander

Granted, Verlander was crap in the World Series (0-6 record, 5.68 earned run average). But a team has to win the pennant to get there, and that’s where the right-hander elevated many a team. (Isn’t that right, 2017 New York Yankees?)

In LDS and LCS play, he owned a 14-5 record.

33. Max Scherzer

Career: 14 seasons (2008-present)

Teams: Detroit Tigers (2008-2014), Washington Nationals (2015-2021), Los Angeles Dodgers (2021-present)

World Series championships: 3 (1984, 1991-92)

Postseason statistics: 26/7-6/3.22/1

Win probability: 2.05

Bottom Line: Max Scherzer

Doesn’t matter where or when — Scherzer wants the ball with the game on the line. Mad Max has World Series bling with three different teams, won a Game 7 and saved a Game 7.

The smart money says we haven’t seen the last of him in October, either.

32. Ken Holtzman

Career: 15 seasons (1965-79)

Teams: Chicago Cubs (1965-1971, 1978-79), Oakland Athletics (1972-75), Baltimore Orioles (1976), New York Yankees (1976-78)

World Series championships: 3 (1972-74)

Postseason statistics: 13/6-4/2.30/0

Win probability: 1.11

Bottom Line: Ken Holtzman

Holtzman didn’t receive the acclaim of co-conspirators Jim (Catfish) Hunter and Vida Blue, but he gave the A’s a decided edge as their No. 3 starter.

The lefty boasted a 4-1 record in five World Series starts.

31. Mike Stanton

Career: 19 seasons (1989-2007)

Teams: Atlanta Braves (1989-95), Boston Red Sox (1995-96, 2005), Texas Rangers (1996), New York Yankees (1997-2002), New York Mets (2003-04), Washington Nationals (2005-06), San Francisco Giants (2006), Cincinnati Reds (2007)

World Series championships: 3 (1972-74)

Postseason statistics: 53/5-2/2.10/1

Win probability: 2.46

Bottom Line: Mike Stanton

Death, taxes, Mike Stanton in the postseason somewhere. Did this guy pick good teams or what? In a period of five seasons (1993-97), he pitched with three different playoff teams. And they were wise to choose him.

Whether it be long relief, mid-relief or a set-up role, the lefty was as versatile and dependable as any pitcher in the postseason. In one stretch of 20 consecutive appearances, he didn’t allow an earned run.

30. Brad Lidge

Career: 11 seasons (2002-12)

Teams: Houston Astros (2002-07), Philadelphia Phillies (2008-11), Washington Nationals (2012)

World Series championships: 1 (2008)

Postseason statistics: 39 games played/2-4 record/2.18 earned run average/18 saves

Win probability: 1.93

Bottom Line: Brad Lidge

We were tempted to exclude this closer because of a yucky 0-3 record and 6.75 earned run average in six World Series appearances. Yet as bad as he was in three of those games, the Phillie did save the first and last games of the 2008 Fall Classic.

Consistent excellence in the previous rounds is what got him here — 1.40 ERA and 18 saves in 33 games. Plus this: Only Mariano Rivera has more saves in postseason history.

29. Jeremy Affeldt

Career: 14 seasons (2002-15)

Teams: Kansas City Royals (2002-06), Colorado Rockies (2006-07), Cincinnati Reds (2008), San Francisco Giants (2009-15)

World Series championships: 3 (2010, 2012, 2014)

Postseason statistics: 33/2-0/0.86/0

Win probability: 1.77

Bottom Line: Jeremy Affeldt

Who was the leader in supplemental bullpen insurance for three World Series champions? Af-feldt! Who owns the best hits-per-nine-innings rate in postseason history? Af-feldt! Who has the third-best earned run average in postseason history? Af-feldt!

Who cannot be left off this list even if his name reminds you of that extremely abrasive, incredibly annoying duck that you would like to roast for dinner? Af-feldt!

28. Randy Myers

Career: 14 seasons (1985-98)

Teams: New York Mets (1985-89), Cincinnati Reds (1990-91), San Diego Padres (1992), Chicago Cubs (1993-95), Baltimore Orioles (1996-97), Toronto Blue Jays (1998), San Diego Padres (1998)

World Series championships: 1 (1990)

Postseason statistics: 29/2-2/2.35/8

Win probability: 1.73

Bottom Line: Randy Myers

Every time 1980 NLCS Most Valuable Player was handed the ball with the lead, his team never lost. The lefty made good on all eight of his save chances and three hold opportunities. The one-time Nasty Boy allowed one run in his first 18 appearances, a span of 22.33 innings.

Overall, he ranks ninth in fewest hits per inning and 10th in saves in postseason play. Nasty, all right. Filthy, too.

27. Rollie Fingers

Career: 17 seasons (1968-1982, 1984-85)

Teams: Oakland Athletics (1968-76), San Diego Padres (1977-80), Milwaukee Brewers (1981-82, 1984-85)

World Series championships: 3 (1972-74)

Postseason statistics: 30/4-4/2.35/9

Win probability: 2.46

Bottom Line: Rollie Fingers

Some consider the 1974 World Series Most Valuable Player to be o-ver-ra-ted. All we know is, of the 21 postseason games that the Swingin’ A’s won in their three-peat years, the righty with the handlebar mustache threw the final pitch in 11 of them.

His World Series numbers in that span: six saves, two wins, 1.36 earned run average.

26. Dave McNally

Career: 14 seasons (1962-75)

Teams: Baltimore Orioles (1962-74), Montreal Expos (1975)

World Series championships: 2 (1966, 1970)

Postseason statistics: 14/7-4/2.49/0

Win probability: 1.75

Bottom Line: Dave McNally

Remember when teammates referred to this left-hander as McLucky when he won 15 games in a row? The guy also made a lot of his own luck. The O’s won seven of his first nine starts, six of them complete games.

The highlight: A 1-0, three-hit, 11-inning shutout against the Minnesota Twins in Game 2 of the 1969 ALCS.

25. Jon Lester

Career: 13 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: Boston Red Sox (2006-14), Oakland Athletics (2014), Chicago Cubs (2015-20), Washington Nationals (present)

World Series championships: 3 (2007, 2013, 2016)

Postseason statistics: 26/9-7/2.51/0

Win probability: 3.36

Bottom Line: Jon Lester

The most important free agent pickup in Cubbies history had a lot to say about three World Series championships, in which he posted a 4-1 record and 1.77 earned run average.

If Red Sox teammate David Ortiz hadn’t gone ape-spit crazy in the 2013 Fall Classic, the Most Valuable Player Award would be in his trophy case. Only nine pitchers have started more games in the postseason.

24. Josh Beckett

Career: 14 seasons (2001-14)

Teams: Florida Marlins (2001-05), Boston Red Sox (2006-12), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-14)

World Series championships: 2 (2003, 2007)

Postseason statistics: 14/7-3/3.07/0

Win probability: 1.63

Bottom Line: Josh Beckett

A masterful 2-0 shutout of the New York Yankees in the 2003 World Series clincher stands as his greatest achievement. Us? We have a soft spot for Game 7 of the NLCS that season.

While Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker handled his bullpen like it was a best-of-99 series, Marlins skipper Jack McKeon called on the 23-year-old to pitch four solid innings of gritty, gutty relief. Only three days after he pitched a two-hit shutout. Lose that game, and the Marlins don’t get to the final round.

23. John Smoltz

Career: 21 seasons (1988-1999, 2001-09)

Teams: Atlanta Braves (1988–1999, 2001–2008), Boston Red Sox (2009), St. Louis Cardinals (2009)

World Series championships: 1 (1995)

Postseason statistics: 41/15-4/2.67/4

Win probability: 3.57

Bottom Line: John Smoltz

The Los Bravos have all of one World Series trophy to show for all their frivolous division titles, but don’t blame this guy for the chronic disappointment. Even though Smoltzie played third fiddle to Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux in the regular season, he was easily the most dependable among them when the stakes were highest.

He ranks No. 2 in wins, No. 3 in win probability and No. 7 in games started in postseason annals.

22. Jim Palmer

Career: 19 seasons (1965-67, 1969-84)

Teams: Baltimore Orioles (1965-67, 1969-84)

World Series championships: 3 (1966, 1970, 1983)

Postseason statistics: 17/8-3/2.61/0

Win probability: 2.31

Bottom Line: Jim Palmer

Admittedly, Cakes could be a pain for his managers and coaches, but the results made a lot of it go away. In his World Series debut, the right-hander bested Sandy Koufax and the Los Angeles Dodgers on a fourth-hit shutout. At 20 years of age.

He went on to win seven of his first 10 starts. Said longtime teammate Boog Powell, “If I had one game to win, Palmer was on the mound for me.”

21. George Earnshaw

Career: 9 seasons (1928-36)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1928-33), Chicago White Sox (1934-35), Brooklyn Dodgers (1935-36), St. Louis Cardinals (1936)

World Series championships: 2 (1929-30)

Postseason statistics: 8/4-3/1.58/0

Win probability: 1.64

Bottom Line: George Earnshaw

Teammate Lefty Grove cast such a redwood-sized shadow, this 6-foot-4 hardballer never got his full due. His iron-man performances in the 1929 and 1930 World Series remain some of the most underappreciated ever.

Moose made consecutive starts on one day rest in each of them, won three of them and gave up one earned run in the loss. He pitched 23.33 scoreless innings in the ’30 Fall Classic, which left St. Louis Cardinals skipper Gabby Street to mutter afterward, “It was just a case of too much Earnshaw.”

20. Wade Davis

Career: 13 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: Toronto Blue Jays (2009-2012), Kansas City Royals (2013-16, present), Chicago Cubs (2017), Colorado Rockies (2018-2020)

World Series championships: 1 (2015)

Postseason statistics: 30/4-0/1.80/8

Win probability: 2.90

Bottom Line: Wade Davis

The mid-2010’s Royals broke new ground for middle relievers. This 2015 Babe Ruth Award winner planted the flag.

The right-hander was so lights-out that year and the one after it — one earned run and 38 strikeouts in 25 innings — a hard foul was considered a rally. His 12.8 Ks per nine innings are third on the all-time list.

19. Waite Hoyt

Career: 21 seasons (1918-38)

Teams: New York Giants (1918), Boston Red Sox (1919-20), New York Yankees (1921-30), Detroit Tigers (1930-31), Philadelphia Athletics (1931), Brooklyn Dodgers (1932, 1937-38), Pirates (1933-37)

World Series championships: 3 (1923, 1927-28)

Postseason statistics: 12/6-4/1.84/0

Win probability: 1.77

Bottom Line: Waite Hoyt

If this guy hadn’t been a Yankee, one could almost feel sorry for him. In the 1921 World Series, Schoolboy didn’t allow an earned run in 27 innings — yet he lost 1-0 in the eighth and final game. Two of his other losses were by a scant run.

There was no better pitcher on the fabled 1927 and 1928 powerhouses, for which he won all three of his World Series starts, the last two against the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game sweep.

18. Orel Hershiser

Career: 18 seasons (1983-2000)

Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers 1983-94, 2000), Cleveland Indians (1995-97), San Francisco Giants (1998), New York Mets (1999)

World Series championships: 1 (1988)

Postseason statistics: 22/8-3/2.59/1

Win probability: 2.83

Bottom Line: Orel Hershiser

Few pitchers have been this effective for this long. Fewer yet have been the Most Valuable Player in the ALCS, NLCS and World Series. At his peak, Bulldog won six consecutive starts — three in each league and seven years apart.

Throw out two bad starts as a 38-year-old in the 1997 Fall Classic, and his numbers would be even more impressive.

17. Orlando Hernandez

Career: 9 seasons (1998-2002, 2004-2007)

Teams: New York Yankees (1998-2002, 2004), Chicago White Sox (2005), Arizona Diamondbacks (2006), New York Mets (2006-07)

World Series championships: 4 (1998-2000, 2005)

Postseason statistics: 19/9-3/2.55/0

Win probability: 2.53

Bottom Line: Orlando Hernandez

Yeah, we know all about his exploits in Yankees pinstripes, but that was nothing compared to what the 40-year-old accomplished in the 2015 postseason.

He pitched four scoreless innings to help the White Sox win the World Series of all things. We still don’t believe it happened.

16. Cliff Lee

Career: 13 seasons (2002-14)

Teams: Cleveland Indians (2002-09), Philadelphia Phillies (2009, 2011-14), Seattle Mariners (2010), Texas Rangers (2010)

World Series championships: 2 (2006, 2011)

Postseason statistics: 11/7-3/2.52/0

Win probability: 1.80

Bottom Line: Cliff Lee

Don’t walk batters. And keep the ball in the park. Did any pitcher execute that tried-and-true game plan better than this one? The lefty with the killer cutter allowed a walk every 32 batters and a home run once every leap year (160 batters).

Small wonder that he won seven of his first eight starts, and the bullpen prevailed in the other. The guy was so good, even Phillies fans liked him.

15. Stephen Strasburg

Career: 12 seasons (2010-present)

Teams: Washington Nationals (2010-present)

World Series championships: 1 (2019)

Postseason statistics: 9/6-2/1.46/0

Win probability: 1.52

Bottom Line: Stephen Strasburg

If this guy never pitches another game because of a cervical/hand/neck/shoulder/TBA injury, he’ll still be a candidate for this list. That’s how ridiculous the Babe Ruth Award winner was in the 2019 postseason, when he posted a 5-0 record and 1.98 earned run average and won at least one game in all three rounds.

Oh, and his combined 0.47 ERA in the 2014 and 2017 NLCS was pretty good, too.

14. Johnny Podres

Career: 15 seasons (1953-55, 1957-69)

Teams: Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1953-55, 1957-66), Detroit Tigers (1966-67), San Diego Padres (1969)

World Series championships: 3 (1955, 1959, 1963)

Postseason statistics: 6/4-1/2.11/0

Win probability: 1.09

Bottom Line: Johnny Podres

This guy doesn’t meet the previously stated minimum of 50 innings pitched, but we’ll give him a pass here. If not for a one-year military stint that kept him out of the 1956 World Series, the son of an upstate New York miner almost certainly would have reached the magic number. Besides, how can a guy who shut out the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 1955 World Series to bring an overdue World Series title to Brooklyn not be on the list?

Eight years later, the southpaw beat the Yanks again, this time in Game 2 of a four-game sweep. Footnote: His postseason numbers don’t include the 2.33 scoreless innings that he pitched in the 1959 National League playoff clincher, which was considered to be an extension of the regular season.

13. Red Ruffing

Career: 22 seasons (1924-1942, 1945-47)

Teams: Boston Red Sox (1924-30), New York Yankees (1930-42, 1945-46), Chicago White Sox (1947)

World Series championships: 6 (1932, 1936-1939, 1941)

Postseason statistics: 10/7-2/2.63/0

Win probability: 2.53

Bottom Line: Red Ruffing

The team that wins Game 1 goes on to win the World Series nearly two-thirds of the time. So, there’s no way to minimize the contributions of this warhorse to all those Yankees championship teams of the 1930s and early 1940s.

In that span, the right-hander posted a 5-1 record in openers. Overall, he pitched at least eight innings in all except one of his starts.

12. Carl Hubbell

Career: 16 seasons (1928-43)

Teams: New York Giants (1928-43)

World Series championships: 1 (1933)

Postseason statistics: 6/4-2/1.79/0

Win probability: 1.49

Bottom Line: Carl Hubbell

The Meal Ticket was the primary reason that the Giants won one World Series and weren’t embarrassed by the mighty New York Yankees in two others.

The lefty screwballer won two of the first four games against the Washington Senators in the 1933 Fall Classic, the later a memorable 2-1 gut check in 11 innings. He also prevented a sweep at the hands of the Yankees four years later.

11. Jack Coombs

Career: 14 seasons (1906-18, 1920)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1906-14), Brooklyn Robins (1915-18), Detroit Tigers (1920)

World Series championships: 2 (1910-11)

Postseason statistics: 6/5-0/2.70/0

Win probability: 1.06

Bottom Line: Jack Coombs

Who is Jack Coombs? The iron man who was as crazy good in back-to-back seasons (1910-11) as any pitcher in big league history. Not only did the right-hander win four games in those World Series, but he bested future Hall of Famers Mordecai Brown (twice) and Christy Mathewson along the way.

If not for a strained groin that he suffered with a 3-1 lead in Game 5 one year later, he might have won a second clincher in as many years. A near-fatal bout with typhoid fever and recurring arm problems sabotaged his career, or else he would have a Hall of Fame plaque himself.

10. Christy Mathewson

Career: 17 seasons (1900-16)

Teams: New York Giants (1900-16), Cincinnati Reds (1916)

World Series championships: 1 (1905)

Postseason statistics: 11/5-5/0.97/0

Win probability: 2.07

Bottom Line: Christy Mathewson

Some would argue that, even though his teams had an ordinary 5-5-1 record in his 11 starts, Big Six should rank higher on the list. They have a case.

The right-hander pitched four shutouts, three in the 1905 World Series alone. He owns the eight-best earned run average in postseason history. Um, we better stop before we move him into the top five . . .

9. Allie Reynolds

Career: 13 seasons (1942-54)

Teams: Cleveland Indians (1942-46), New York Yankees (1947-54)

World Series championships: 6 (1947, 1949-53)

Postseason statistics: 15/7-2/2.79/4

Win probability: 2.39

Bottom Line: Allie Reynolds

No pitcher was more effective in a dual role when the stakes were highest. Super Chief beat opponents as a starter (5-2 record, 2.83 earned run average), and he beat them out of the bullpen (four saves, 2-0 record, 2.53 ERA).

His teams won five World Series in a span of six seasons, and he won at least one game in each of them.

8. Lefty Grove

Career: 17 seasons (1925-41)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1925-33), Boston Red Sox (1934-41)

World Series championships: 2 (1929-30)

Postseason statistics: 8/4-2/1.75/2

Win probability: 1.54

Bottom Line: Lefty Grove

The ace of the A’s dynasty produced six consecutive quality starts, and he allowed one earned run in one of his two losses. He also had two saves in as many tries — the last in an epic eight-run comeback against the Chicago Cubs in Game 4 of the 1920 World Series.

Only the Great Depression and a resultant trade could stop his postseason brilliance.

7. Art Nehf

Career: 15 seasons (1915-29)

Teams: Boston Braves (1915-19), New York Giants (1919-26), Cincinnati Reds (1926-27), Chicago Cubs (1927-29)

World Series championships: 2 (1921-22)

Postseason statistics: 12/4-4/2.16/0

Win probability: 2.71

Bottom Line: Art Nehf

Giants manager John McGraw called this left-hander “one of the finest, gamest pitchers the game has ever known” for good reason. He beat the New York Yankees in the final games of the 1921 and 1922 World Series, one on a shutout and the other on a five-hit gem.

In 1924, he blanked them in the Fall Classic again. Then, he got the best of Washington Senators great Walter Johnson in a legendary 12-inning. His teams scored a grand total of two runs in three of his losses.

6. Madison Bumgarner

Career: 13 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: San Francisco Giants (2009-2019), Arizona Diamondbacks (2020-present)

World Series championships: 3 (1972-74)

Postseason statistics: 16/8-3/2.11/1

Win probability: 2.74

Bottom Line: Madison Bumgarner

If there has been a better money pitcher in World Series history, then the name escapes us at the moment. Five games, four wins, one save, 36 innings pitched, 0.25 earned run average.

His 2014 postseason was an unreal Bummer — four wins, one save and a 1.03 ERA in 57 2/3 innings.

5. Sandy Koufax

Career: 12 seasons (1955-66)

Teams: Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1955-66)

World Series championships: 3 (1959, 1963, 1965)

Postseason statistics: 8/4-3/0.95/0

Win probability: 1.51

Bottom Line: Sandy Koufax

Yeah, his 4-3 record doesn’t make you tingly all over, but consider this: Big Blew scored a total of one run in three of the losses, the first by a 1-0 score. Know this: Koufoo did not allow more than one earned run in any of his eight appearances, half of which were complete games.

Seriously, the guy was so drop-dead dominant in the 1963 World Series opener that, when he fanned a then record 15 batters, the New York Yankees had the look of a JV team.

4. Bob Gibson

Career: 17 seasons (1959-75)

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1959-75)

World Series championships: 2 (1964, 1967)

Postseason statistics: 9/7-2/1.89/0

Win probability: 1.64

Bottom Line: Bob Gibson

We would have voted for battery-mate Tim McCarver (and his 10th-inning homer and 1.291 OPS) over Gibby as the 1964 World Series Most Valuable Player, but that’s neither here nor there. Truth is, the right-hander likely would boast a 3-0 record in Games 7s had Curt Flood not misplayed a fly ball four years later.

His record 17-strikeout gem in the 1968 Fall Classic was beyond insane, but this even more so: He pitched 81 of a possible 82 innings in nine starts.

3. Curt Schilling

Career: 20 seasons (1988-2007)

Teams: Baltimore Orioles (1988-1990), Houston Astros (1991), Philadelphia Phillies (1992-2000), Arizona Diamondbacks (2000-03), Boston Red Sox (2004-07)

World Series championships: 3 (2001, 2004, 2007)

Postseason statistics: 19/11-2/2.23/0

Win probability: 4.09

Bottom Line: Curt Schilling

Here’s the GOAT among starters in the modern era. Check out these records and earned run averages — 4-1 and 0.93 in the LDS, 3-1 and 3.47 in the LCS, and 4-1 and 2.06 in the World Series. Overall, he ranks No. 2 in win probability and No. 6 in win percentage.

His 2004 World Series performance with a loose ankle tendon sutured to his skin (also known as The Bloody Sock Game) was the stuff of Hall of Famers. Maybe the voters will finally see it that way one day.

2. Herb Pennock

Career: 22 seasons (1912-17, 1919-34)

Teams: Philadelphia Athletics (1912-15),Boston Red Sox (1915-17, 1919-22), New York Yankees (1923-33), Boston Red Sox (1934)

World Series championships: 3 (1923, 1927, 1932)

Postseason statistics: 10/5-0/1.95/3

Win probability: 2.35

Bottom Line: Herb Pennock

On a per-game basis, no pitcher has had a greater impact on team postseason success than this one. The lanky Yankee earned a dub-yah or save in eight of his 10 appearances and completed four of his five starts.

In 1923, the southpaw was on the mound when the Bronx Bombers clinched their first World Series title. Three years later, he won Games 1 and 5 (in 10 innings) to keep his team in the hunt, and then he pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen to finish a narrow Game 7 loss. Never an ace, but come October, always a winner.

1. Mariano Rivera

Career: 19 seasons (1995-2013)

Teams: New York Yankees (1995-2013)

World Series championships: 4(1996, 1998-2000, 2009)

Postseason statistics: 96/8-1/0.70/42

Win probability: 11.69

Bottom Line: Mariano Rivera

We could give you a detailed list of his postseason accomplishments, but then you would be late to your Pilates workout.

So, we’ll just say the one-time ALCS and World Most Valuable Player is the all-time leader in games played, earned run average, saves and win probability to spare you the time.