NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has set a strikeouts record for the 11th consecutive year — and with four days to spare.

There were 40,196 strikeouts through Wednesday, topping last year's 40,104 — the first season strikeouts reach 40,000. There were 32,189 in 2007, the last season without a record, and 30,801 in 2003.

This will be the first season in major league history with more strikeouts than hits. There were 40,098 hits through Wednesday.

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