In baseball statistics, a pitcher is credited with a game started (denoted by GS) if he is the first pitcher to pitch for his team in a game.
Cy Young holds the Major League Baseball games started record with 815. Young is the only pitcher in MLB history to start more than 800 career games. Nolan Ryan (773), Don Sutton (756), Greg Maddux (740), Phil Niekro (716), Steve Carlton (709), Roger Clemens (707), and Tommy John (700) are the only other pitchers to have started 700 or more games their career.
Key Rank Rank amongst leaders in career wins. A blank field indicates a tie. Player (2026 GS) Number of games started during the 2026 Major League Baseball season GS Total career games started*Denotes elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame. BoldDenotes active player.A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or has not played for a full season.
List
Stats updated as of September 27, 2026.MLB.com – Career Leaders for Games Started
RankPlayer (2026 GS)GS1Cy Young*8152Nolan Ryan*7733Don Sutton*7564Greg Maddux*7405Phil Niekro*7166Steve Carlton*7097Roger Clemens 7078Tommy John7009Gaylord Perry*69010Pud Galvin*68811Bert Blyleven*68512Tom Glavine*68213Walter Johnson*66614Warren Spahn*66515Tom Seaver*64716Jamie Moyer63817Jim Kaat*62518Frank Tanana61619Early Wynn*61220Robin Roberts*60921Randy Johnson*60322Grover Cleveland Alexander*60023Ferguson Jenkins*594Tim Keefe*59425Bobby Matthews56826Dennis Martínez56227Kid Nichols*56128CC Sabathia*56029Justin Verlander55730Eppa Rixey*55431Bartolo Colón552Christy Mathewson*55233Mickey Welch*54934Jerry Reuss54735Zack Greinke54136Red Ruffing*53837Mike Mussina*53638Eddie Plank*529Rick Reuschel52940Jerry Koosman527Jack Morris*52742Jim Palmer*521Andy Pettitte52144Jim Bunning*51945John Clarkson*51846Jack Powell51647Gus Weyhing50548Tony Mullane50449Charlie Radbourn*50350Joe Niekro500 RankPlayer (2026 GS)GS51Bob Friend497Burleigh Grimes*49753Mickey Lolich49654Mark Buehrle49355Max Scherzer (18)49256David Wells48957Claude Osteen48858Sad Sam Jones48759Jim McCormick48560Bob Feller*484Ted Lyons*484Luis Tiant48463Red Faber*483Bobo Newsom48365Bob Gibson*48266John Smoltz*48167Tim Hudson47968Kevin Brown476Catfish Hunter*47670Liván Hernández474Kenny Rogers47472Vida Blue473Earl Whitehill47374Vic Willis*47175Chuck Finley46776Orel Hershiser46677Don Drysdale*465Milt Pappas46579Doyle Alexander46480Tim Wakefield46381Curt Simmons462Bob Welch46283Mike Torrez45884Lefty Grove*457Juan Marichal*45786Rick Wise45587Clayton Kershaw451Jon Lester45189Jim Perry44790John Lackey44691Paul Derringer44592Kevin Millwood443Jack Quinn443Javier Vázquez44395Charlie Hough440Mike Moore44097Whitey Ford*43898Curt Schilling43699Mel Harder433Carl Hubbell*433Billy Pierce433
Notes
References
External links