MacKenzie Gore might be flying under the national radar just a tad, but for those in and around the Nationals, it’s clear that he’s been an absolute ace on the mound this season.
One statistic actually says he’s been throwing like two of the greatest left-handed pitchers in the history of the sport.
After Gore’s start on Tuesday, he was up to 114 strikeouts on the season through 14 starts.
According to X stats expert @JayHayKid, that’s the third-highest total in National League history for any pitcher aged 26 or younger. The only two to outdo Gore were Clayton Kershaw in 2014 and Sandy Koufax in 1962.
Kershaw and Koufax. Let that sink in.
You could make a simple case those are the two best southpaws ever. And now here Gore is, in their company.
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Gore has been brilliant, with a 2.88 ERA and 1.12 WHIP to go with his strikeout mastery.
It’s been a beautiful rise to prominence for the one-time Padres top prospect who dealt with injuries and wasn’t a sure thing when he was included in the Juan Soto trade.
He’s a sure thing now, one of the most dominant hurlers in baseball.
Gore wears the number 1 on the back of his uniform, a rare choice for a pitcher.
It seems fitting at this point, though. He’s a true ace.
And if the Nats get anything even slightly resembling Kershaw or Koufax for the rest of this season, and potentially years to come, it’ll be a magical time to be in D.C. any time Gore toes the rubber.
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