While advanced metrics have altered the way fans view pitchers, ERA (earned run average) still greatly impacts who we view as the best pitchers of the modern game.
The true best-of-the-best are the pitchers able to perform when it matters most. These pitchers did just that, shutting down high level opposition in the biggest games.
Here are the postseason ERA leaders.
Lowest ERA in a Single Postseason (All Time)
T-1. Waite Hoyt, New York Yankees (0.00 ERA in 1921)
We’ve listed the five pitchers who have had scoreless postseasons by the most innings. Hoyt and Mathewson both pitched 27.0 innings during the 1921 and 1905 World Series, respectively. Unfortunately for Hoyt, he allowed an unearned run in the first inning of a 1-0 loss to the rival Giants in Game 8 – the finale of that best-of-nine series.
T-1. Christy Mathewson, New York Giants (0.00 ERA in 1905)
Mathewson was nothing short of brilliant in the 1905 World Series, tossing three shutouts against the Philadelphia Athletics. He also had two hits at the plate as the Giants took the best-of-seven series in five games.
T-1. Kenny Rogers, Detroit Tigers (0.00 ERA in 2006)
In 2006, Rogers worked 7.2 innings in a 6-0 win over the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and 7.1 innings in a 3-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics in the AL Championship Series. In the World Series, the left-hander allowed just two hits over eight innings in a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. It was Detroit’s only win in the five-game series.
T-1. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants (0.00 ERA in 2010)
Long before Madison Bumgarner’s epic performance in 2014, Cain had one of his own in the 2010 postseason. In the midst of a streak of dominant regular seasons, he started in the NLDS, NLCS and World Series, allowing 13 hits and one unearned run over 21.1 innings in the three outings. His victory in Game 2 of the Fall Classic helped San Francisco beat the Texas Rangers in five games.
T-1. Carl Hubbell, New York Giants (0.00 ERA in 1933)
Hubbell had a very old-school effort in the 1933 World Series against the Washington Senators. After giving up two unearned runs while striking out 10 batters in a complete-game 4-2 win in Game 1, the left-hander scattered eight hits and allowed one unearned run over 11 innings in a 2-1 victory in Game 4. The next day, the Giants closed out the Senators with a 4-3 win in Game 5.
- 6. Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers (0.38 ERA in 1965)
- 7. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers (0.39 ERA in 2013)
- 8. Harry Brecheen, St. Louis Cardinals (0.45 ERA in 1946)
- T-9. Lew Burdette, Milwaukee Braves (0.67 ERA in 1957)
- T-9. Stan Coveleski, Cleveland (0.67 ERA in 1920)
Lowest Postseason ERA by a Rookie
- 1. Babe Adams, Pittsburgh Pirates (1.33 ERA in 1909)
- 2. Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants (2.18 ERA in 2010)
- 3. Fernando Valenzuela, Los Angeles Dodgers (2.21 ERA in 1981)
- 4. John Lackey, Anaheim Angels (2.42 ERA in 2002)
- 5. Joe Black, Brooklyn Dodgers (2.53 ERA in 1952)
Lowest Postseason ERA in a Career (min. 40 innings pitched)
1. Mariano Rivera (0.70 ERA from 1995-2011)
When it came to pitching with the game on the line, there was no one better than career ERA leader Mo Rivera. His 42 saves are easily the most in playoff history (Kenley Jansen is second with 20), as are his 96 appearances (Jansen has 59). Perhaps most importantly, the perennial All-Star and Hall of Fame reliever was part of five titles with the Yankees.
2. Sandy Koufax (0.95 ERA from 1959-66)
In his seven World Series starts, Koufax threw four complete games and struck out eight or more five times. The three-time Cy Young award winner allowed no runs twice, one run four times and two runs once, but only had a 4-3 record in the postseason thanks to low run support (17). He didn’t need much in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series, firing a three-hitter while fanning 10 in a 2-0 road win over the Minnesota Twins.
3. Christy Mathewson (1.06 ERA from 1905-13)
Mathewson allowed just one home run in his postseason career in 101.2 innings pitched. He allowed just two earned runs over 47.0 innings in his first five starts. In the 1913 World Series, Mathewson threw a 10-inning shutout to beat the Philadelphia Athletics 3-0 in Game 2. However, he was on the short end against Eddie Plank in the Game 5 finale when he gave up three runs – two earned – in a complete-game 3-1 loss. Speaking of Plank…
4. Eddie Plank (1.32 ERA from 1905-14)
Despite his sparkling postseason ERA and his big win over Mathewson in 1913, Plank often ran into tough luck as he ended up with only a 2-5 record over his seven World Series appearances. That’s mostly because he was only given six runs of support over that stretch from the Philadelphia offense.
5. Stephen Strasburg (1.46 ERA from 2014-19)
Believe it or not, the often-injured Strasburg was one of the best postseason pitchers of all time. The right-hander allowed just nine earned runs while striking out 71 over 55.1 innings in the playoffs. In 2019, Strasburg held the Houston Astros to four runs over 14.1 innings in a pair of victories to help the Washington Nationals win the first title in franchise history.
- 6. Mickey Lolich (1.57 ERA from 1968-72)
- 7. George Earnshaw (1.58 ERA from 1929-31)
- 8. Scott McGregor (1.63 ERA from 1979-83)
- 9. Stan Coveleski (1.74 ERA from 1920-25)
- T-10. Lefty Grove (1.75 ERA from 1929-31)
- T-10. Orval Overall (1.75 ERA from 1906-10)
Be sure to check out our MLB, NBA, NFL and college football coverage. And follow us on X and Instagram for more!
