Bert Blyleven vs Steve Carlton: Career Stats Comparison
Steve Carlton has the better career line of the two, leading 5 of the 8 scored categories on this page (8 further counting totals are shown but not scored). Bert Blyleven played 1970–1992 as a pitcher; Steve Carlton played 1965–1988 as a pitcher.
- ERA (Earned Run Average):
- Earned runs allowed per nine innings pitched: (ER × 9) ÷ IP. The primary measure of pitching effectiveness.
- W (Wins):
- Games credited to a pitcher whose team took a lead it never surrendered while he was the pitcher of record.
- SO (Strikeouts):
- For a batter, times retired on a third strike; for a pitcher, batters retired on a third strike.
- WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched):
- Baserunners allowed per inning: (BB + H) ÷ IP. Under 1.00 is elite.
Data updated
Bert Blyleven (1970–1992) and Steve Carlton (1965–1988) — they debuted in the 1970s and the 1960s respectively and share 19 seasons. Bert Blyleven finished with 287 wins and 3,701 strikeouts; Steve Carlton finished with 329 wins and 4,136 strikeouts. The table below sets out their careers line by line.
Quick answer
- Who leads the career comparison? Steve Carlton, in 5 of the 8 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA? Steve Carlton, with 3.22 to Bert Blyleven's 3.31.
- Who won more games? Steve Carlton, with 329 to Bert Blyleven's 287.
- Who recorded more strikeouts? Steve Carlton, with 4,136 to Bert Blyleven's 3,701.
- Who had the better WHIP? Bert Blyleven, with 1.20 to Steve Carlton's 1.25.
- How many innings did each pitch? Bert Blyleven 4,970.0, Steve Carlton 5,217.1.
- Who threw more shutouts? Bert Blyleven, with 60 to Steve Carlton's 55.
Bert Blyleven
Steve Carlton
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate. Cells highlighted in green mark the player who leads that line. Lower ERA, WHIP and BB/9 lead; higher K/9 leads. 8 of the 16 lines below are scored; the other 8 are shown but not scored. Games, starts and innings measure playing time, and losses, walks and hits allowed track how long someone pitched, so they are left unmarked, as is any line where both players are at zero. Rate stats are not era-adjusted, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Bert Blyleven | Steve Carlton |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 287 | Leads: 329 |
| Losses not scored | 250 | 244 |
| Games not scored | 692 | 741 |
| Games Started not scored | 685 | 709 |
| Complete Games | 242 | Leads: 254 |
| Shutouts | Leads: 60 | 55 |
| Saves not scored | 0 | 2 |
| Strikeouts | 3,701 | Leads: 4,136 |
| Walks not scored | 1,322 | 1,833 |
| Hits Allowed not scored | 4,632 | 4,672 |
| Home Runs Allowed not scored | 430 | 414 |
| Innings Pitched not scored | 4,970.0 | 5,217.1 |
| ERA | 3.31 | Leads: 3.22 |
| WHIP | Leads: 1.20 | 1.25 |
| K/9 | 6.70 | Leads: 7.13 |
| BB/9 | Leads: 2.39 | 3.16 |
PIV Comparison
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Steve Carlton edges Bert Blyleven 76,502 to 74,910 — a longevity gap rather than a per-season one: Steve Carlton played 24 seasons to Bert Blyleven's 22, while Bert Blyleven carries the higher per-season figure (3,405 to 3,188). PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by ERA among qualified workloads (120+ innings).
Bert Blyleven — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Steve Carlton — top 3 seasons by ERA (lower is better)
Verdict
Steve Carlton leads 5 of the 8 scored categories on the head-to-head card: wins, complete games, strikeouts, ERA, and others. Bert Blyleven leads 3: shutouts, WHIP, and walks per nine. On the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Steve Carlton. PIV agrees: Steve Carlton grades out higher across their careers. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Bert Blyleven and Steve Carlton careers compare
From 1970 through 1988, Bert Blyleven and Steve Carlton were in the majors together. With 692 games against 741 across 22 and 24 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. Bert Blyleven's edges on the table are shutouts (60 to 55), WHIP (1.20 to 1.25), and walks per nine (2.39 to 3.16). By rate, Bert Blyleven struck out 6.70 and walked 2.39 per nine innings; Steve Carlton struck out 7.13 and walked 3.16. Both had the same role: Bert Blyleven was mainly a starter (685 starts in 692 games); Steve Carlton was mainly a starter (709 starts in 741 games). In WHIP, Bert Blyleven's 1.20 beats Steve Carlton's 1.25.
Bert Blyleven vs Steve Carlton: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Bert Blyleven or Steve Carlton?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Steve Carlton leads Bert Blyleven in 5 of the 8 scored categories.
- Who had the better ERA?
- Steve Carlton, with 3.22 to Bert Blyleven's 3.31.
- Who won more games?
- Steve Carlton, with 329 to Bert Blyleven's 287.
- Who recorded more strikeouts?
- Steve Carlton, with 4,136 to Bert Blyleven's 3,701.
- Who had the better WHIP?
- Bert Blyleven, with 1.20 to Steve Carlton's 1.25.