A new MLB record was set Monday in the New York Yankees’ 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla.
According to Yankees PR, New York pitchers have recorded 121 strikeouts this season. That’s the most by any club through its first 10 games in major-league history.
The previous record was 119, accomplished by the Yankees in 2018 and the Cincinnati Reds in 2020.
Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers
The Yankees need nine strikeouts Tuesday vs. the Blue Jays to set a new record for team strikeouts through 11 games. Both the 2018 Yankees and 2020 Reds recorded 129 strikeouts through 11 games.
In addition, the Yankees have collected at least 10 strikeouts in nine of their first 10 games for the first time in franchise history. The only other MLB club to do that was this year’s Chicago Cubs.
New York has at least 10 strikeouts in each of its last seven games, the second-longest streak in team history. The team record is nine straight games with at least 10 strikeouts, set in June of 2017.
Gerrit Cole led the way Monday night with eight strikeouts. According to Yankees PR, Cole “has recorded at least seven strikeouts in each of his last 12 regular-season starts (since 8/8/20-Game 1), the longest such stretch by a Yankees pitcher in franchise history.” The Yankees say the previous record was seven games, done five times, “most recently by Nathan Eovaldi from 8/19/15-4/20/16.”
On Tuesday, the Yankees will look to Jameson Taillon to keep the punchouts coming.
Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text during games with beat writers and columnists. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.